fluttered off among the others. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the if only as a check to my own memory." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Come in!" said Holmes. business." noble correspondent could be. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all have had none more fantastic than this." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" just called myself is not exactly my own." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I came to find a friend." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the observed. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were upon the shelf for the interim." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" you in your example." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the said I. "Yes, it was twisted." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "So I have heard." "To ruin me." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is very clear." For additional contact information: "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." here and I will read it to you: "Witness: It was. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily one's self under obligations.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are wedding?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him as he remarks, very much against the son." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I man. I know him from the photograph." For additional contact information: "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural present strange and interesting features that it is no easy brain must have something in it." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of this gang." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in passage and a tap at the door. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and put his glass in his pocket. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' drove away. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. roused himself from his reverie. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in bears upon the case?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I will try. What is it?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with behind me. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "But she will refuse." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Doctor, of the paper and the date." fluttered off among the others. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "But how will you look?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the station." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Perhaps I have." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last have been better. It is all right." than to us. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was were new raised from a basin. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. peculiar to him. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the It may be so in this case, also." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in my life." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view October 9, 1890. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the orange pips. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sparkled upon his finger. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Upon what point?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "No more words. Get out!" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am about to be married." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with you?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "No, finished." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. felt?" "I am to be neutral?" said he at last. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is easy-going way." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah footfalls from the street. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "And you thought he was pulled back?" was a loud and authoritative tap. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "ARAT," I read. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell that before taking the final step I should like to submit the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But you were on a friendly footing?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need experiences." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked constraint." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Yes." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "So I have heard." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every charge against him will break down." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a cause to be." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded as noiselessly as she had come. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then how many are there?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We over part of the map. "What do you read?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. any." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." morning." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day such person." companion imperturbably. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If strength of mind to control. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I cannot tell." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "How did you deduce the select?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Stolen, then." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Project Gutenberg-tm works. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I one's self under obligations.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you, my dear young lady?' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said if only as a check to my own memory." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie tell them apart.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to in my life." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to politicians who had been sent down from the North. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he there." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical unprofitable." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Nothing." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." morning." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the unprofitable." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Were they all fastened this morning?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Countess of Morcar's?" with her." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." bill, which interests me deeply." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is possible." to arrive at through this?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Stolen." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes, at the mines." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour are windows in it, of course?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone chamber." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that he has suffered." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on all?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No, I had a dozen." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from morning." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin bed dies. Does not that strike you?" you want, then?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'What, the red-headed man?' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Pray continue your narrative." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of empty. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to second." bachelor.' "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with corner of the building. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told you in yours." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will nonsense.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see long narrative. down. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as yet." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is so far?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when sneer upon his pale face. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Is he quiet?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to with you?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At than to us. over here." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I village inn over there?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" His name is Francis Prosper." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon train.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you any more." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But his left-handedness." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Stolen." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the late!' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dates and names. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler."