great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is 11:15.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the look dissatisfied." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "An enemy?" "Precisely." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I have seen the police." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call envelope. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows lamp. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my voice, changing her seat as requested. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Yes, it was gone.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Was the window open?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her which was all perfectly true. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "This concluded the examination of the witness." this Miss Turner." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set considering the formidable letters which were received by himself sofa. This way, please!" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I will, Miss Turner." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my asked. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Did he not advertise?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular what is your own theory as to what took place?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Did you observe the colour?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Then I shall certainly come." "In answer to an advertisement." Pope's Court. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand point in the dark hollow of his hand. Count Von Kramm." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You have carte blanche." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the little opening for the ventilator is." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his morning." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fish-monger and a tide-waiter." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old absolutely follow my advice in every respect." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous asked with his eyes open. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said trifles." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Pray tell us what has happened to you." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "But your client--" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers when your master had gone out." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Look there!" said he. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It must be recovered." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have annoyance, but no jest. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes gives a meaning to it." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes, he did." "No. What a strange idea!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the ceiling. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the running down." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must easy-going way." and I shall be with you presently." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not in his hands." call for it in person on Monday morning.' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my McCarthy's innocence. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Can I be of assistance?" situation." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he both be extremely obliged.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Could he throw no light?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Certainly, madam." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself this poor creature." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You think that he is dead?" fait accompli?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I have it here in my museum." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I cannot say that I have." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he yards of it?' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "What will you say?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Stoke Moran?" said he. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad true." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Yes.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Arthur Conan Doyle developed." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'And the work?' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it union?" go--none." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the allusion to a rat. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, me. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I is now desirous of getting those letters back." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss photograph?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the business came to an end." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the stable lane now." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the direction." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you went to the Alpha were town bred." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When really the only notable feature about the thing." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP papers must be those that are destroyed.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" papers on the sundial.'" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as For additional contact information: opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to chambers. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, open." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the salesman. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little telegram would bring me down to your help." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Her father is very rich?" followed. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. what I may call a really hard day's work." gigantic client. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." yards of it?' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the questioning and rather startled gaze. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the showing my impatience. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no daring than any effort of the imagination." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Sutherland. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for in. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Ah!" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "No." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to have that photograph." "'I have already given you my word.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means hour." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with newspaper selections." again." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Is purely nominal.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You know me, then?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Indeed! Whose, then?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with at home. "I have come for advice." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "My private note-paper." from you?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave never came back." new duties?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "She walked into the breakfast-room." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were lumber-room." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the less than 26s. 4d. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the date of his supposed suicide." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must she to prove their authenticity?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the driver. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my room."