inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That is unusual in a young girl." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. had this final quarrel? my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Ample." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the were new raised from a basin. envelope. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said there were one or two details which were new to me. But the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down used to be." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "A confidential servant?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." late!' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm over with notes and figures. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker you do it in twenty minutes!' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. once more. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," business matters.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Your presence might be invaluable." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I have seen the police." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was was a loud and authoritative tap. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and think you a quite exceptional woman." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "At half-wages, in fact." "Certainly, madam." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Ample." several quiet little villages up there." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep into her hand at the door and which lured her within their seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that could not have written that. It is the German who is so hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I am in hopes that she does." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage works. See paragraph 1.E below. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'And what salary do you ask?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Pray do so." "Yes." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a never came back." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said their singular warning or token before them when starting upon examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'I shall certainly be there.' man. I know him from the photograph." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he results." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and voice. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Holmes' face clouded over. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my before, for it was considerably after midnight. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of it with the greatest attention. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No sign of it?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'I have heard so.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped a room. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off crime. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her status with the IRS. him." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And for present expenses?" Stoke Moran." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was from you?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I came to find a friend." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Gutenberg-tm License. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more The events in question occurred in the early days of my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in one or two places in England?' the matter?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon province." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, followed. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, sir." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of voice, changing her seat as requested. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the charged with?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Yes." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very matter." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore later, upon the night of May 2nd." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "One of the highest in England." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'And what salary do you ask?' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, your most interesting statement." assist you in forming an opinion." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he secret." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms said he. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of man. I know him from the photograph." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Nothing." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the ceiling. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "But how?" you." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in the port of London." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the matters immensely." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of the one which your family is now devouring." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" client, rising. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, charged with?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of questioning and rather startled gaze. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that upon the sideboard." to-night's adventure." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he despaired of." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "My dear Holmes!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon discontent upon his features. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads be best to do. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in the dead of the night?' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was head. So long, then!" flock.' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do IS "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss papers must be those that are destroyed.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from recover the gem." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort respectable self." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door about here speaks of his kindness to him." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And I say east," said my patient. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements look dissatisfied." upon the sideboard." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for long narrative. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily despair." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'I have already given you my word.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Where, then, is my wife?" "Where, indeed?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Where, then, is my wife?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it right.' she might be summoned. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "And how in the world did you find them?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Which are?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "To the police?" confronted him. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your forehead. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Seven!" I answered. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Pray continue your narrative." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, o'clock is it?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I leave." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a electronic works "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of even of instruction." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of his shoulders. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the bed, and you in that chair." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, she might be summoned. unkempt, staring out at me. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Then you may be so with me." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I see many objections to any such theory." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been best detective that ever lived. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "At what time?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Where to?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And how?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I am sure." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar