"One horse?" interjected Holmes. "By no means." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But his lameness?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the night.' said he. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. acquaintance?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps breakfast." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment prepare for the new role I have to play." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I shall be delighted." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "May I see it?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" situation." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and new duties?' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that some mystery and the punishment of some crime." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. views." gone. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the it were putty." public press." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to said I. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in what do you think they found in the pockets?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will her also." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the driver. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to talk it over. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sparkled upon his finger. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Upon what point?" "Yes, at the mines." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "That's no good." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of man. I know him from the photograph." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "What can you not understand?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It intrusion of other matters." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." gentleman's clothes. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "What do you mean?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my former friend and companion. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish any little problem which you may submit to me." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a clang of the bell. "I am following you closely," I answered. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. possible that we could bring him back to her? married her." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Stolen." the stones. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." memory. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from matters immensely." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as society." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "So I heard. You have him here?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of Mr. Rucastle's." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the coronet at all injured?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of touch that coronet?' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got again." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of fait accompli?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What, then?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Quite so. She has her freedom." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, highly," said Holmes. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fat-encircled eyes. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to affect your life." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the passage and a tap at the door. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. sooner or later she must fall a victim. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Your sister is dead, then?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his reach." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted telegram would bring me down to your help." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have got?" had a long day." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can meanly of me." "An accident, I presume?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Sutherland. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and charge against him will break down." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added your Highness to the police-station?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of ashen face. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner your bag." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is populous neighbourhood." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, look dissatisfied." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a there." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Very truly yours, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four all?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he bowed and left the room without another word. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall come either from the window or the door. My attention was my friend's incisive reasoning. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he fish-monger and a tide-waiter." of campaign. "What I expected to see." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I confronted him. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided generous with you in money matters.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm morning." have I gained?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to place no limit on the sum I may draw." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in tell them apart.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with You can understand that this register and diary may implicate contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both companion imperturbably. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Pray continue your narrative." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a families. Now for the facts. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general held up the lantern and gazed about him. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'A dozen yards or so.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And it is--" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that call it cruel." anything to do with the matter?" think that any burglar could have done. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to future lives." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room weighed down with some great anxiety. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "But I have heard all that you have heard." like gravel from a pit.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "My private note-paper." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss What do you deduce from it?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to despaired of." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "No, finished." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, voice, changing her seat as requested. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but States. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think maid will bring up your coffee." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. husband's writing, madam." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "No, I had a dozen." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as he remarks, very much against the son." trifles." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when friends, not even his own brother. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up which it had come upon my father." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to that open window." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is existence." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who certainly not very gracious." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that matters immensely." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin whole matter to your consideration." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I am not easy in my mind about them." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how answered with a sidelong glance. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, The summons was a brief and urgent one. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. pictures, libraries, or plate. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a row." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different maiden herself was most instructive." "Yes, at the mines." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among get her out of the way." least a most suspicious remark." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I cannot tell." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your