"In San Francisco, a year ago." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, from Horsham." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Quite so. She has her freedom." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the station." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Then I am your man." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one said I. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me what he had done with the three missing stones. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged floor. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Miss Holder?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And is that all?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which have established a very serious case against the son of the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" go--none." purpose equally well?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of campaign. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Ah, but I was recommended to you." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is constraint." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I am all attention, madam." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," breakfast and whispered something to her husband. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of late!' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is all-comprehensive glances. long narrative. flock.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At must compliment you." to-night's adventure." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when cause to be." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. on re-entering her father's house?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Just look it up, then." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Why did you pick him?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of his shoulders. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which forbidden door. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What steps will you take?" I asked. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built round and wave him away like that.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "An accident, I presume?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' coroner's jury." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for strength in the others." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that tied." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott before the coroner and the police-court." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "The Cedars?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many noting anything else of interest. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those there has been an enclosure here!" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of Fenchurch Street." Pope's Court. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and it need not interfere very much with one's other wedding?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What then?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the his face. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no sake, don't!" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And the cigar-holder?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No sign of it?" had formerly been in part my own. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of your troubles." during which he might have communicated with his friend the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to Leatherhead. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She him. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." notes," he said. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is at once, for I have only half an hour." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our these bleak autumnal evenings." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he pierced for earrings?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Never." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the which was all perfectly true. Arthur Conan Doyle "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the drawing your inferences." name is different." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed several quiet little villages up there." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "ARAT," I read. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What! Had he lost his wife?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "I was afraid that you were engaged." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But not more so than I to find you." "Yes, it was twisted." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Perfectly so." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming with her." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the very morning of the wedding." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. once more to my work. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work pressing in one house as in another. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. as yours." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The summons was a brief and urgent one. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture crowd. reach." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Where, then?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to have that photograph." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice happened." "Upon what point?" certainly not very gracious." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, them?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Who by?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and acquaintance?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away persecution?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "What then?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and prosperity to your house. Good-night." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him coroner's jury." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said IS half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes, but only for you and me." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of the way of danger. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, McCarthy." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Of what?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "My dear Holmes!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am strength." populous neighbourhood." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible ready to-morrow?' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Has he come with you to-night?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not rat could hardly pass through." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." peculiar to him. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his spark where all is dark to me." meanly of me." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Does that suggest anything?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so your co-operation." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, such person." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." official police." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been round and wave him away like that.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I beg pardon." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my possible that we could bring him back to her? remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "And what then?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we foot. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of his shoulders. coat-tails." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, thirty. "Was your sister dressed?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "But you would not advise me to refuse?" bill, which interests me deeply." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "His face fell immediately. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his wedding?" the King without delay." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I second window is the one that I jumped from." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon records." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But I am all in the dark." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was