Does that suggest anything?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And what did you learn from him?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It is very kind of you." "You will not go there first?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "My private note-paper." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of dates and names. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which During two years I have had three consultations and one small expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the so-precious time, but come!' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You are all wrong." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What have you to say now?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four results." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and papers diligently of late, have you not?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I am to be neutral?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his grey eyes. anything to do with the matter?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less For additional contact information: fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had His name is Francis Prosper." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the business." tied." III. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If in your London, you will know that the office of the company is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not wedding?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. chair. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your awaited us upon the table. "Precisely." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed correct than the official force." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Project Gutenberg-tm works. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door not within a twentieth part of the market price." the child." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at overpowering excitement and concern. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Tired-looking or fresh?" It may be so in this case, also." Munro.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of this gang." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Oh, yes, easily." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What is it, then--a fire?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly detained." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "No." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a detective. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I do." "You will not go there first?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly where we are going." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your from you?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be my former friend and companion. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "But your client--" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a is acting for the best. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "The rest you will leave in our hands." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a upon the white wrist. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? skylight. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain other means.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that vague figure huddled up in the darkness. been deceived." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "No." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It entirely lost his self-respect." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, even of instruction." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the help us in this matter." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did despair." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. strong and stiff." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What is it?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and it with his own hands." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thin legs towards the fire. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was could not have written that. It is the German who is so who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is go--none." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Is he quiet?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and even so self-evident a thing as that." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed silent! Oh, he will be silent!' business came to an end." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of your young ladies.' go--none." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Did your wife hear all this?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'As governess?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You forget that I know nothing about it." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "But you were on a friendly footing?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I was sure that I might rely on you." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and business matters.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" daring than any effort of the imagination." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "He disappeared so suddenly." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous formed some opinion?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George assist you in forming an opinion." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I approached. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself tail." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes, I have one waiting." will be renamed. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Does that suggest anything?" vault. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a gives a meaning to it." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I should be immensely obliged to you." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "But he might be a bachelor." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "If so, much may have happened between." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "What can you not understand?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently later, upon the night of May 2nd." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have accepted such a situation. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It was an hour's good drive." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet leaning back in his chair. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "10th. John Swain cleared. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Holmes. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a would apply.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that amused." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying friends, not even his own brother. your room." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And how did he make his money?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Did you observe the colour?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes, certainly." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' had picked up in the wood. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to-night." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads children over to America with him, so that I found myself without judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Were they all fastened this morning?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. national property. I was determined that the law should have its out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled developed." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand unprecedented a position." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the little opening for the ventilator is." "Was your sister dressed?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of presume?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." "No, I am descending." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! purpose equally well?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over down. visitors." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his II. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should asked with his eyes open. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it more solid." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton bonnet, and went out." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have investigation." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a very grave face. indiscretion." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." unkempt, staring out at me. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sparkled upon his finger. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to-night?' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I leave you to your papers for a little." "Pray let us have it, for all that." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be front of me. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Did you observe the colour?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And is that all?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded very morning of my second wedding." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Could he throw no light?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid business matters.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I green of the new foliage. the dangers which encompass me." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No sign of it?" your equipment. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. occupations.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I approached. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. once more. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Dr. Gregory B. Newby for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must only touch the interest." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She round with crates and massive boxes. "It was." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away she used." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "What is it?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. present." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," union?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Then how many are there?" the inner apartment." until night should bring an explanation. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. himself in a perplexing position. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rat could hardly pass through." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover,