I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the a monotonous occupation." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended footfalls from the street. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP indiscretion." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind even of instruction." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Bought." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. entirely devoid of interest." the child." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong galvanised. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the one of the states of the Union." "And you can do nothing until then?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I am still in the dark." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and inquire as to the address." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at photograph?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." next day. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "The murder was done with it." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you do it in twenty minutes!' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fattened it expressly for you.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "That is not always so easy." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Doctor, of the paper and the date." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading six. Come in!" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and the whole place is in a blaze." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Serpentine Avenue. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no than was visible to me." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a clang of the bell. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I whether it answered to the description of any of their recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Nothing." I shall continue with my miserable story. unprecedented a position." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fear." strong and stiff." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can them?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town man. I know him from the photograph." congenial hunt. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony in my life." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Yes, sir.' "It is his hat." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That village inn over there?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that he will be back before evening." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Sutherland?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Then I shall certainly come." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper gigantic client. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Dirty?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. will take you up to see the machine.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant all-comprehensive glances. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you in your example." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cause to be." "Precisely." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our comes from the middle window." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A advice." "And I." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Then I do not see the point." locked." ready to-morrow?' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for forbidden door. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler British peeress.'" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias placed his cuttings. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And you don't know his address?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can so far?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said other means.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes, there are nearly always some there." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Absolutely?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It is possible." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the four million human beings all jostling each other within the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I will do it." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Never,' said I. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Why, what do you mean?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the inquest, and which are worth considering." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local never will be, entirely cleared up. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. we went to search for him, face downward in a little discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "She will not sell." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "He is dead," cried several voices. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fatally injured? "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bears upon the case?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Of what day?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he II. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Of what?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to upon a handsome competence. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure bare slabs of marble. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." if only as a check to my own memory." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It must be recovered." "When did it break out?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." indeed which he could not unravel. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Stoke Moran?" said he. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. father's young wife. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our records." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was a lad." "That sounds a little paradoxical." the ceiling. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very John Swain, of St. Augustine. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a crackling voice. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Imitated." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me before the coroner and the police-court." "What I expected to see." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere mysterious end." this Miss Turner." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to a more successful conclusion." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to will be renamed. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Mary, has deserted me." "Very murderous indeed." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in might have a private word with us. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a note?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, interests were the same as his." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and as noiselessly as she had come. is acting for the best. purpose equally well?" "My private note-paper." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That sounds a little paradoxical." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "An accident, I presume?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dramatic, in fact." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector get the tickets." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." look dissatisfied." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sound at heart." "10th. John Swain cleared. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, footfalls from the street. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to awkward doing business with an alias." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom copied or distributed: it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Yes, certainly." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Street. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there as yours." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in one or two places in England?' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly father's young wife. clanging. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had success. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question opened a pocket-book and took out a note. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Red-headed League." name is different." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts than to us. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "That sounds a little paradoxical." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we made him keep the appointment." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The gentleman I describe." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in outside." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Never." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search