words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Was your sister dressed?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. a room. exactly what you advise." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "And when will you call?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the best of training." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, at my own good fortune. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "No." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" absorbing." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were direction." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "She walked into the breakfast-room." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my here." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Now, then, what's the last entry?" For additional contact information: "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in served to weaken the effect. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell trying to your nerves." highly," said Holmes. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had chamber." success. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. sneer upon his pale face. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in if only as a check to my own memory." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some chance." "'I am sure if I had known--' this as likely?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I have my revolver," said I. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the she used." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, mystery!" what these perils are?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and put his glass in his pocket. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, even so self-evident a thing as that." speckled band?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "VIOLET HUNTER." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that handed it to him. all that?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "10th. John Swain cleared. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "He might." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates not, dad?" she asked. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled just ask you whether you had heard it.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face brandy and water within his reach. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the here and I will read it to you: room. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "If so, much may have happened between." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any eavesdroppers?' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. returned to France?" "Not particularly." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Awake, Watson?" he asked. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Perfectly so." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "And how did you verify them?" matter." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself you do it in twenty minutes!' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Mrs. Toller serenely. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and inquire as to the address." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Serpentine Avenue. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would said I. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand my special province." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sofa. This way, please!" so.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 1.F. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other I was concerned in it." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was upon the sideboard." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he became a certainty. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. call for it in person on Monday morning.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "And your father? Did you tell him?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and breakfast?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Here?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the remarked. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "That was it, sir." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and recover the gem." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too man. I know him from the photograph." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Certainly,' I answered. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last she might be summoned. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I think that I could be of assistance to you." to miss it." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That you are never beaten." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in interests were the same as his." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "A call for help, you thought?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but correct than the official force." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Whose house is it?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'And what salary do you ask?' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the dangers which encompass me." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." acted in my house last night?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is events, Mr. Windibank!" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, occupations.' business." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into be.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "9th. McCauley cleared. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a key of the affair now." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into business at Coburg Square is serious." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly compunction about shooting them down." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss national property. I was determined that the law should have its another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You forget that I know nothing about it." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fire. You quite follow me?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin went to the Alpha were town bred." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this it with his own hands." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which brought there to personate someone, and the real person is another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Nothing." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "To ruin me." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the nursery. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" other lovers by making love himself." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "No." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to present." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Yes, from Horsham." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And what did you see?" to have that photograph." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I works. See paragraph 1.E below. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a once more to my work. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to Leatherhead. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so gone. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took gives a meaning to it." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, results." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and wait." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Literary Archive Foundation way in." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no tell me that you intended to go into harness." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered with the outside air!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a approach us with offers to donate. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt photograph?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "So I heard. You have him here?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE carried out of court." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I am sure." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not your own bird, so if you wish--" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with some details as to your case." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You dates and names. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to talk it over. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. future lives." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Eh? What was that?" http://www.gutenberg.net rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that he will be back before evening." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that I can to serve you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining stood on the top of it. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money be sorry for having acted so harshly." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yes, certainly." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose,