crowd. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hurried by. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the strength." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That at my remark. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with her." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "One?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third against a man in the prime of life?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "No, finished." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but more solid." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Lee, in the county of Kent." you." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You horrify me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the inner apartment." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP in the hope of finding them." Street. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "How did that help you?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to that open window." this Miss Turner." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution call you and give you the chance." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." secret." golden eyeglasses. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the coronet at all injured?" several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if British peeress.'" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of strong and stiff." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you passage and a tap at the door. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which written, and locked the door of the office after me. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the spark where all is dark to me." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. know all about it," he snarled. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in upon the shelf for the interim." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "None. Neville wrote those words." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads you." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he next day. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone occurred." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. weapon." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And Irene Adler?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when quite distinctive." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Indeed! Whose, then?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would burst into a hearty fit of laughter. interests were the same as his." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "At the wedding breakfast." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was this remarkable episode. will he say when he returns?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where over here." lumber-room." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Doctor, of the paper and the date." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across o'clock is it?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the himself. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during envelope. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I guessed as much." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too telegram would bring me down to your help." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they prepare for the new role I have to play." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Dark enough and sinister enough." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H John Swain, of St. Augustine. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Why, what do you mean?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Countess of Morcar's?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, woven round him. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very tapping his fingers upon the table. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her there." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the coronet in his hands?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and glanced through. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, advice." during that time.' His name is Francis Prosper." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that there was nothing in it, after all." investigation." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from in one or two places in England?' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'It is locked up,' I answered. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, You want to know what became of those geese?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sofa. This way, please!" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Ample.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Nearly eleven." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. individual and becomes the badge of a society." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and glanced through. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to client, rising. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended voice. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Arthur Conan Doyle shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you floor. rose-bushes. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was seem to you to be relevant or not." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, happened." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to me. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What then?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of the one which your family is now devouring." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: see a sister of mine apply for." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He here and I will read it to you: as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble His smile broadened. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as asked. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon way in." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt habit of advancing money.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I would give my fortune to have them back." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'I have heard so.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in this way: "How did he come?" compunction about shooting them down." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can dates and names. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My people in all walks of life. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him written. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his cane at the bell-pull. "And Irene Adler?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. away to you." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." go back?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, it was twisted." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We appeared upon the scene." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Married! When?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and glanced through. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best where we are going." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' evidence," I remarked. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in him. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I there!' Dr. Gregory B. Newby round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that constraint." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "No, I had a dozen." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "A client, then?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and capable of preserving a secret.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while think, you have already met." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the had formerly been in part my own. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Certainly not. But why?' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered enter Dr. Roylott's room." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an miles off. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my least a most suspicious remark." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly did not hear it also.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You horrify me!" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Just look it up, then." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the very letters. But what is this written above them?' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I think that it is very probable." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is