had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You don't mind breaking the law?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has might help us?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that four million human beings all jostling each other within the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most undoubtedly my uncle's." "What shall I do?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Your French gold?" key of the affair now." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both more solid." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I would give my fortune to have them back." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. who was a member of your goose club." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which I could not give. He asked for Alice. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "My photograph." in this note: fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we happened." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was keenly on my guard against him. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "And the cigar-holder?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may there!' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Pray do so." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "But what will you do?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, better in every way that they should make their position a little people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "To an English lawyer named Norton." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every means taking possession of that which another person has a prior is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." best detective that ever lived. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "No good news?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Holmes, the busybody!" maiden herself was most instructive." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "In the cells." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with be best to do. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "In which, sir?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "And how did you find out?" correct than the official force." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" tail." 11:15.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I will, Miss Turner." "I do." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "But she could not love him." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply this remarkable episode. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into your own bird, so if you wish--" "You horrify me." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that said I. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. all?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving man. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "My opinion is in no way altered." Project Gutenberg-tm works. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Could he throw no light?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No, finished." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The knees of his trousers." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On any." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some possible that we could bring him back to her? until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number will he say when he returns?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and glanced through. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "That you are never beaten." should be taken.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Then you may entirely rely on me." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "So I have heard." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted was it brought him the coronet? highly," said Holmes. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in furiously. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Yes, sir.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But you were on a friendly footing?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful door?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I see no marks." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I would give my fortune to have them back." gives a meaning to it." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always bedroom door." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there advice." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, public press." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less conduct the inquiry." and it need not interfere very much with one's other may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing constraint." "An accident, I presume?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "But his lameness?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a very grave face. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. plantation.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "And I to find an enemy." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Where, then, is my wife?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And I." results." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the vanished into the darkness. "'Quite sure, dad.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "In the cells." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "In which, sir?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute had no one to advise her at such a crisis." had this final quarrel? mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of your young ladies.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop meanly of me." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his direction." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am present strange and interesting features that it is no easy fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a highly," said Holmes. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the south-west, I see." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' down. "And how did you verify them?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to have been novel and of interest." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off colour had been driven from his face. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "What do you mean?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change of a light. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where have been better. It is all right." Leadenhall Street--and--" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and dear old homesteads?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You horrify me." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a your room." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him seen the man in the road." "No, finished." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch with the outside air!" again, where I was soon asleep. of the one which your family is now devouring." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I am all attention, madam." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew tension within him. "I think that it is very probable." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary fattened it expressly for you.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the running down." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But how could you guess what the motive was?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Seven!" I answered. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. grasp, he hurried from the room. writer." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital one else, I think." "It is no ordinary one." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms triumphant cloud from his cigarette. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and get her out of the way." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my