and wait." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Surrey." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door along the entire front of the house, with three long windows occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'In my own bureau.' off." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events assist you in forming an opinion." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Yes." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shaken than I had ever seen him. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I should like to see him very much." the devil!" It may be so in this case, also." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And the cigar-holder?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The King stared at him in amazement. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "What then?" again." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" infinite languor in his face. not fit the lock." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole States. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "So I have heard." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "To an end?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to nothing with him." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back father's young wife. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some both be extremely obliged.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and there." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. But Holmes shook his head gravely. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. again." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Holmes' room. my little problems." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is to him that this trophy belongs." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier had no one to advise her at such a crisis." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the bed, and you in that chair." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make skylight. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "The Coroner: What do you mean? each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does when your master had gone out." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It came here." "It certainly sounds feasible." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hurried by. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No, my brougham is waiting." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Where to?' you." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew go from here to the Strand." in the hope of finding them." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Bought." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my experiences." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yes, all." "Perhaps we may make them less so." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and has little to do with my story." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hand, madam?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "No bad?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Pray do so." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "By no means." "In San Francisco, a year ago." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a not come at once?" to that open window." 1.E.9. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from will he say when he returns?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Is purely nominal.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she DISSOLVED. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Heh?' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "But to whom?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left The summons was a brief and urgent one. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which wife's character?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his fled together." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The best possible." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." situation." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect made his money." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you in yours." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as weighed down with some great anxiety. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society down from London to inquire more deeply into it." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the to-night?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And what then?" "I have come for advice." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love forebodings. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no presented which may be striking and bizarre without being abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you in your example." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Chief Executive and Director business matters.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "If I can be of use." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. 11:15.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, just called myself is not exactly my own." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It is very kind of you." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get thirty. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who vanished into the darkness. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no License. You must require such a user to return or shall use the carriage to-night." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Which are?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that he has suffered." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "But you can know nothing of this?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her there." province." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those woven round him. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have established a very serious case against the son of the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes, there are nearly always some there." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which at home. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the dangers which encompass me." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most already been minutely examined." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce some mystery and the punishment of some crime." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in bled considerably." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and License. You must require such a user to return or this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel on re-entering her father's house?" me. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wanted for ourselves." recover the gem." once more to my work. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I am in hopes that she does." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'Never,' said I. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch away to you." secret." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of the vacancies.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Why did you pick him?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Then you may be so with me." "Then, how do you know?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a on in his house." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, house for five minutes.' felt the room to be a little close.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I don't believe it." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The summons was a brief and urgent one. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. his grey eyes. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just think, you have already met." "And that is--" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his conduct the inquiry." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any should be so warm over such a trifle." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered mysterious end." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us voice. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to me. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful congratulate you again." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss meant it for the best. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Deserted you?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his room?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway again, where I was soon asleep. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room