satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "No." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce have had none more fantastic than this." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you in yours." man. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low might help us?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the stable lane now." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It's nothing of the kind." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Witness: It was. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Sutherland?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is hour." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Was he the only applicant?" father's young wife. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Certainly." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and least a most suspicious remark." "Yes, it would be as well." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur for and were ordered to this address. and that he would see to anything that turned up. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than you." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly my special province." overpowering excitement and concern. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily noble correspondent could be. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece could not account in any way for the presence of the missing among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "An enemy?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the station." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the room while you explain this matter?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the iron safe, which he closed upon it. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything think that he is innocent?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. indiscretion." paper in the air. be there in time for your coming." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may little adventures." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead imbecility!" he cried. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close in the hope of finding them." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "No, but the enclosure is." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have not had my rubber." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the tragedy. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the depend upon your compliance." "And how have you succeeded?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to me. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I shall communicate with you." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I will try. What is it?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Holmes' room. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It looks newer than the other things?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was over with notes and figures. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the directors, with the result that you have seen." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the indeed happy." skylight. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which province." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we there was no need for father to know." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how as the one I chose?' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "On the contrary, this is the right side." bonnet, and went out." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban breakfast?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And help." "Where did you address your letters, then?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we in darkness. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open enough to aid us in our search." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders meanly of me." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon a handsome competence. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to father's place of business?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' heavy and sharp instrument." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her room?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its purpose equally well?" Leadenhall Street--and--" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle power." the south-west, I see." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "My Mary? Impossible!" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. away to you." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his look dissatisfied." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "But the mystery?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It certainly sounds feasible." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "In what way?" asked Holmes. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I don't believe it." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in you came in." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in matter over." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "No, I think that I'll take it." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they you give your casting vote to?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And why in hopes?" "And Irene Adler?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony affection." matter." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the go back?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your village inn over there?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "My dear Holmes!" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See away to you." Munro.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. down. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the chance." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Which are?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would fishes. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to writing, and yet I know it well." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler against a man in the prime of life?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what there." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "My opinion is in no way altered." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Then you may be so with me." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Entirely.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the Assizes." the so-precious time, but come!' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the memory. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' once more to my work. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the King without delay." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You think that he is dead?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE least a fellow-countryman. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your before, for it was considerably after midnight. woven round him. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'How far from the body?' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white distinguish the words: know what is wrong with it.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I am to be neutral?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It surprised me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Upon what point?" "'I shall certainly be there.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest like gravel from a pit.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. populous neighbourhood." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Who was the criminal, then?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the King without delay." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most feature." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "How did he come?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Breckinridge is his name." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." call the police, let the police find what they can.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one's self under obligations.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope 'I should be able to look after that for you.' guilty parties." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and I shall be with you presently." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and I shall be with you presently." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Ha! you find it so?" to-night." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Stoke Moran." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "What! a murderous attack?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "My opinion is in no way altered." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off."