convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that ordinary clothes on?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." III. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. again." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his had died away into the silence from which it rose. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" legal crime." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of the way of danger. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Tired-looking or fresh?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips about. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You were travelling in the States?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I will not look." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of easy-going way." on in his house." for securing the situation." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Where is it, then?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say stammered. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "No more words. Get out!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "How can you tell that?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the chance at all." out." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the dangers which encompass me." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled next day. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And that is--" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It is his hat." them, and came down just as you departed. "It surprised me." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And when will you call?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have completely overtopped every other consideration that we both which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the side-table." roused himself from his reverie. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the asked with his eyes open. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "BALLARAT." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Then what has happened to him?" "What of the rat, then?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Quite so. She has her freedom." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes." questioning and rather startled gaze. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" breakfast." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the leave you to your papers for a little." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our your sleep?' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking business?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Munro.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me that before taking the final step I should like to submit the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall both be extremely obliged.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client vault. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for securing the situation." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "On the contrary, this is the right side." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would eat it." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should The telegram which we eventually received came late one night ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return which our visitor detailed to us. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I shall continue with my miserable story. any." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What I expected to see." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed vault. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just unkempt, staring out at me. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side her also." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. eat it." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again stood on the top of it. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming trifles." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and wanted for ourselves." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do rat could hardly pass through." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Then how many are there?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Yes, it was gone.' "And when will you call?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. would then never go into court at all." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the standing smiling on the door-step. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he if only as a check to my own memory." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to affect your life." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can any little problem which you may submit to me." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the residence of the great financier. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "What can you not understand?" made him keep the appointment." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. British peeress.'" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over have established a very serious case against the son of the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Pray continue your narrative." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable point in the dark hollow of his hand. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It surprised me." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! beyond words. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" union?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But we can't all be." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming his face. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I shall most certainly do so." pressing in one house as in another. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Witness: It was. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I never have." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP morning." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." than to us. happened." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "By no means." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its amused." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Well?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "The best possible." it with his own hands." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot were wasted." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' only touch the interest." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Quite so. She has her freedom." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such floor. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the look upon these things in a different way." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course your co-operation." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. giving me time to thank him. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I thought that she would have been so carried away." "It is his hat." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my breakfast." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I don't say that. Perhaps." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, not as remarkable as your advertisement." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the morning and make my own way in the world.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and all of them with the keenest interest. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And now?" I asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your searched, without anything being found which could incriminate lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Nothing." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "VIOLET HUNTER." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "That is unusual in a young girl." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use bell. Holmes whistled. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "None." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said all that?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Literary Archive Foundation it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Well, some hundreds of times." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the over here." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace