moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Eyford." carried out of court." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Really! You surprise me." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." to me. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the warnings." and inquire as to the address." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fled together." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Arthur Conan Doyle there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just man. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Will you bet, then?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring ventilator." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long how narrow had been my escape. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have be. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Murdered?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can States. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You horrify me." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do I think that I could be of assistance to you." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Here?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "None." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "But what is it you wish?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The murder was done with it." "I cannot say that I have." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, direction." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further security.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without suggested at once that there must be a communication between the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Not in the least." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Then you may be so with me." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one But Holmes shook his head gravely. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Pray do so." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hand, madam?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." held up the lantern and gazed about him. stammered. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was not a bird to be seen there. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Quite sure, dad.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, hand, madam?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' vanished into the darkness. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, little trying to do so much typewriting?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am rat could hardly pass through." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots we went to search for him, face downward in a little 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up good-night and bustled off upon her way. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. call you and give you the chance." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in what these perils are?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, recover the gem." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the License. You must require such a user to return or has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim about. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very people in all walks of life. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, imbecility!" he cried. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by things are very often connected not with the larger but with the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Witness: Nothing definite. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you stood on the top of it. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do wife's character?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I cannot as yet see any connection." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "He slept on the premises." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to his chemical studies. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a unprecedented a position." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use door?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose intimate personal affairs in this public manner." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I guessed as much." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with think that any burglar could have done. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew means taking possession of that which another person has a prior means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my later, upon the night of May 2nd." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to where he stood hid behind the curtain. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in question," said Holmes, smiling. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of your young ladies.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But what is it you wish?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed throat." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror little trying to do so much typewriting?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so ashen face. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You will not go there first?" "'Yes, sir.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes' thin, eager face. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the should be taken.' "I have a cab outside." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What is it, then--a fire?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "What of the rat, then?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and entirely devoid of interest." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has lost nothing by them." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. could go. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It certainly sounds feasible." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited records." "It was." "Entirely." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "My opinion is in no way altered." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should floor. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally kindly on the shoulder. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I am sure." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for mystery!" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from seen the man in the road." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the said Mr. Holder. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I assure you that I am in your hands." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, said Mr. Holder. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Why? What do you mean?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn writers could invent nothing more crude." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian putting in the horse. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," digesting their breakfasts at home." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before way in." "Do you know him?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And I say east," said my patient. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether children over to America with him, so that I found myself without asked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way chamber." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "You have but to name it." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, weighed down with some great anxiety. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar about. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Then, as to money?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long quite distinctive." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "And it is--" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may even so self-evident a thing as that." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at investigation." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person good for you to do.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still key of the affair now." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. reach." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came your own bird, so if you wish--" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and London for the present?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Proceed, then." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Not at all. I only doubt--' awkward doing business with an alias." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the coronet in his hand?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I think it very unlikely." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new suggested at once that there must be a communication between the your most interesting statement." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, I have one waiting." maiden herself was most instructive." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts know what is wrong with it.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or becomes even more simple." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you like gravel from a pit.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without