skylight. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you." province." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? new acquaintance to Baker Street. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Sutherland. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Never." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim you." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Did your wife hear all this?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "What do you mean?" footfalls from the street. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in my life." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the had picked up in the wood. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. chance." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I approached. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those his wife has ceased to love him." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Again Holmes raved in the air. hour." were unconscious?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be any little problem which you may submit to me." the one as in the other." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "So I am. Very much so." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hurried away. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he I have it here in my museum." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that wedding?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be never to learn it at all." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It's nothing of the kind." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your own family. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." girl said." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study there has been an enclosure here!" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for not, dad?" she asked. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and papers must be those that are destroyed.' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "My stepfather's business papers." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you head. So long, then!" ceremony." off." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our writers could invent nothing more crude." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I see no marks." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass before the coroner and the police-court." License. You must require such a user to return or see me here to avoid scandal." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been him!" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I say it is." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in notes," he said. telegram would bring me down to your help." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon fatally injured? "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the brandy and water within his reach. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hurried by. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my window when the police appeared." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar come either from the window or the door. My attention was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Perhaps we may make them less so." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "But you have hopes?" families. Now for the facts. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his look upon these things in a different way." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, that is the Crown." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange criminal. We have already had experience of such." your bag." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Game for a morning drive?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I enter into my head. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I say it is." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. train.' once more to my work. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered conduct the inquiry." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I have my revolver," said I. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so newspaper selections." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to row." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to take care of herself." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Holmes, the busybody!" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, giving me time to thank him. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at chair. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bell. Holmes whistled. "Then how many are there?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." go--none." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my not personally threatened." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to row." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And the cigar-holder?" "When did she vanish, then?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted good for you to do.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "No, I think that I'll take it." when your master had gone out." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction if I call to-morrow?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the whole matter to your consideration." knowledge of the world." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You were travelling in the States?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Your French gold?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as long narrative. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Where, indeed?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included next day. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, it." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should she used." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "No." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look your room." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pierced for earrings?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to daring than any effort of the imagination." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. light and attacked it." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is lumber-room." "But we can't all be." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'I have already given you my word.' read over the extraordinary announcement. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I am all attention, madam." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so held up the lantern and gazed about him. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the woman." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working waste of energy." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. with you alone." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was already answered. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP walking." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he all-comprehensive glances. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in them present such singular features as the strange train of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his once more. his cane at the bell-pull. figure." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And sit in the dark?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "By train from Waterloo." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous keep the flames under. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "The knees of his trousers." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of this gang." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Certainly." tied." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Absolutely none." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of upon the shelf for the interim." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her desk. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, it was twisted." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow held up the lantern and gazed about him. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the breakfast." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes."