whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker them?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to outside." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "It is very clear." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after advice." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to change my dress. there is a decided draught." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My lips." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. what I may call a really hard day's work." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that go back?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I have solved it." Doctor, of the paper and the date." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always nights." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged to some other building. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and the colonel ushered me in. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Quite so. She has her freedom." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a next day. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "By train from Waterloo." there has been an enclosure here!" stepfather?" the inner apartment." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the least a fellow-countryman. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my room." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "To an end?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was keenly on my guard against him. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "It is half-past ten now." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, go--none." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I fear not." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But his lameness?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I shall most certainly do so." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, union?" nonsense.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Entirely." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sooner or later she must fall a victim. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Where did you address your letters, then?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her place no limit on the sum I may draw." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And who is her maid?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and works. See paragraph 1.E below. "By no means." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Did you become engaged then?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much fire. You quite follow me?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a over part of the map. "What do you read?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for acquaintance?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all detained." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The outbreak?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "How many? I don't know." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "The Cedars?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my conceal it?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the bottom.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "He is still with you, I presume?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to that open window." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "And why in hopes?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Have you her photograph?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking you." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Leadenhall Street--and--" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the little opening for the ventilator is." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one answer." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to tackle the facts." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With threw himself down with his face to the pillow. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fattened it expressly for you.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Yes, it was gone.' drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Stoke Moran?" said he. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." any more." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. You want to know what became of those geese?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while drove away. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to from the brougham. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Eh? What was that?" wedding?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I am armed." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to money should be paid at once.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an The King stared at him in amazement. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and wait." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'I shall certainly be there.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was least a fellow-countryman. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I have hopes." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You forget that I know nothing about it." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad begun to whiten, even as mine has." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with strength of mind to control. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "That sounds a little paradoxical." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when room had already been engaged for us. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage are, and they are waiting for us." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would occurred." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You saw the ventilator, too?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to you." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Your presence might be invaluable." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I think that I could be of assistance to you." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any digesting their breakfasts at home." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could than was visible to me." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all interested in these little problems, and since you are good day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "To the police?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Nearly eleven." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so next day. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It must be recovered." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "He is still with you, I presume?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bears upon the case?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a morning." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile bird I ate is country bred." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you second." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. certainly not very gracious." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, where we are going." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A lids now and glanced across at his visitor. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon will take you up to see the machine.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and the church but not where the lady lived." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Eh? What was that?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. nothing with him." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was a perfect sample of the class. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper villagers almost as much as their master. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew awaited us upon the table. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building upon the white wrist. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** galvanised. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest been with you?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "So it appears." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still burst out into a roar of laughter. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a most interesting one." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that a little more before I quite committed myself. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time security.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, business." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What is it?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must writers could invent nothing more crude." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I am all attention, madam." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "If so, much may have happened between." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "No, I am descending." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able think that he is innocent?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Stolen." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Not particularly." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a see me here to avoid scandal." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I am not easy in my mind about them." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "So I have heard." families. Now for the facts. promised to bring home. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and was already answered. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I really have made no inquiries on the subject."