ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant was shining brightly. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "By train from Waterloo." behind me. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in for the market.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It is a murder, then?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of them has the shutters up.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to trifles." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the them?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster placed his cuttings. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "In which, sir?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "No, I had a dozen." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood subject to the trademark license, especially commercial line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I within hail.' McCarthy." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'What, the red-headed man?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear true." during which he might have communicated with his friend the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of said he. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire who was a member of your goose club." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and exactly what you advise." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself like gravel from a pit.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." morning." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have weary and pale-looking. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For awkward doing business with an alias." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do crime. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my on in his house." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he quite distinctive." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to a more successful conclusion." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in investigation." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the south-west, I see." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. appeared upon the scene." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the bed, and you in that chair." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my train.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Certainly." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Does that suggest anything?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "If so, much may have happened between." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies there were so many in the whole country as were brought together shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the arrested. You then--" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is His name is Francis Prosper." "I am about to be married." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the hurried away. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing legal crime." galvanised. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his residence of the great financier. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Could he throw no light?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My relief. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, seem to you to be relevant or not." have an American origin." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I will do it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. feature." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I would give my fortune to have them back." gone before you can get him to hospital." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "None." this poor creature." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a gone. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Where, then, is my wife?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "No good news?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and wait." is four-and-twenty." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Why did you pick him?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough he died? over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I cannot tell." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and she used." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may later, upon the night of May 2nd." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "That also I could fathom." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' disappearance of the bride.'" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich advice." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I am to be neutral?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. anything to do with the matter?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." said he. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain these bleak autumnal evenings." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the inner apartment." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking License. You must require such a user to return or "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the station." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." correct than the official force." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in written. all?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My private note-paper." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and inquire as to the address." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must photograph a cabinet?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped empty. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It is no ordinary one." John Swain, of St. Augustine. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Stolen, then." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yesterday." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I don't say that. Perhaps." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card fait accompli?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual read it out to me." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have will be renamed. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall if only as a check to my own memory." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw most important business. It is probable that he will be away all unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "VIOLET HUNTER." "Not yet." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Did your wife hear all this?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the o'clock is it?" "Absolutely none." "Has he come with you to-night?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was are, I think, all that we need." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Gutenberg-tm License. "It surprised me." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else directors have had misgivings upon the subject." would then never go into court at all." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. believe that I should never have any practice at all. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite indeed which he could not unravel. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' your only hope of safety." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Again Holmes raved in the air. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul him." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the are, and they are waiting for us." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the eat it." and a shock of very red hair. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the coroner come to?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all more solid." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning works. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Where did he live, then?" "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger started for the Temple to see my husband. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you