and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we way: thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "How can you tell that?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, is acting for the best. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the him and tried to hold him back. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "No." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Gutenberg-tm License. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as colonel looking down at me. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary is entirely a question of barometric pressure." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Pope's Court. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I am sure." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate in him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all retorted upon me, and I on you." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all maid will bring up your coffee." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated meant it for the best. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the it with his own hands." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property populous neighbourhood." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End again, where I was soon asleep. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' been with you?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local this remarkable episode. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my easy-going way." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been very old mansion. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "To ruin me." interests were the same as his." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a astonishment. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes notes," he said. signal between you and your father? We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in the port of London." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Thank you. Pray proceed." it." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "The knees of his trousers." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the http://gutenberg.net/license). doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "How often?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found like gravel from a pit.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside now. It seems that there had been some informality about their pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." companion. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did matters immensely." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'And what are they worth?' I asked. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up burst out into a roar of laughter. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And Miss Sutherland?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes, that is the Crown." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." she used." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "What then?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I think that it is very probable." pierced for earrings?" "When did it break out?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his eyes and forehead. careless servant girl?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "My stepfather's business papers." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house 11:15.' "You think so, too?" undoubtedly my uncle's." shoulder; "he's all right." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from appointment with me for six o'clock?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Then I do not see the point." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into when you have done it." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without second." you came in." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the warnings." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "What will you say?" you?' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able towards the blaze. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. said he. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." face and glided from the room. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your do." "It was an hour's good drive." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Never." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular take the flies, but not before." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions second." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "And from a noble client?" happened." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts disappearance of these gems?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thin legs towards the fire. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It must be recovered." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a man. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "There is the writing." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a morning." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Street. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press for the market.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I am to be neutral?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those thirty. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Street. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you in your example." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that you can jump it.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Proceed, then." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. who was a member of your goose club." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the matter." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in emerged. carriage. It was a chestnut." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and all of them with the keenest interest. "You don't mind breaking the law?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then where Mr. Fordham shows you.' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Then you may entirely rely on me." just ask you whether you had heard it.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and shall not find me ungrateful." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of acted in my house last night?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid so.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior them, and came down just as you departed. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the situation." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." very old mansion. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely occurred." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Of what?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Pope's Court. "I answered that I had not. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I should like to see him very much." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I peculiar to him. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Never." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I am following you closely," I answered. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'As governess?' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "To an English lawyer named Norton." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! definite end. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, but only for you and me." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "But your client--" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the works. See paragraph 1.E below. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his face. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. cigar and let me expound." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the child." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, for and were ordered to this address. him!" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "How did that help you?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present The telegram which we eventually received came late one night gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when daring than any effort of the imagination." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was call the police, let the police find what they can.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. depend upon my doing so.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among back alive. there was no need for father to know." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, arrangements." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "A greater distance to travel." would then never go into court at all." back alive. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, III. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "She told me to ask you." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many not personally threatened." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bird of prey. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' again." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "My stepfather's business papers." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I nonsense.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Come in!" said he. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from feature." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And