devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "You have carte blanche." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you know that the truth is known." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'I have already given you my word.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and that where we are going." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Won't it ring?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may was keenly on my guard against him. shall use the carriage to-night." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of a light. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all once more to my work. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike newspaper selections." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Henry Baker is a member." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to tell." forecastle of an emigrant ship. me where it went to?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I think that I could be of assistance to you." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Breckinridge is his name." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and lamp in his hand. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "What?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I unprecedented a position." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning mystery." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I cannot imagine." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "My photograph." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I shall continue with my miserable story. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, at the mines." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your himself in a perplexing position. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is the writing." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a your most interesting statement." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case present." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in question," said Holmes, smiling. returned to France?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Yes, it was gone.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very presented which may be striking and bizarre without being saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one bachelor.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. strength." if only as a check to my own memory." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" read it out to me." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg in him." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Stolen." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Entirely." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I have my revolver," said I. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who place, I think that there is good ground to think that the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Lee, in the county of Kent." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "And now?" He raised his hand. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I records." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate congratulate you again." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the delirious. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to take care of herself." "You think that he is dead?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He mysterious business." best detective that ever lived. to tackle the facts." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And I say east," said my patient. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Not I." 1.E.9. for the market.' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. indiscretion." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of taking in every detail of the apartment. "That is it on the dressing-table." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little she to prove their authenticity?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence him and tried to hold him back. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Have you her photograph?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more strength in the others." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Never." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I washing it down with a long draught of water. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss in his power. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, father's young wife. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk mysterious end." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It is solved." 'please.'" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes, from Horsham." most interesting one." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I am still in the dark." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "How often?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, name is different." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper always that they were such commands as a lady might with would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "ARAT," I read. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a him. business." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From searched, without anything being found which could incriminate anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but heavily into it. to talk it over. Arthur Conan Doyle hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I am still in the dark." he. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed is," said he presently: call you and give you the chance." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a IS introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Does that suggest anything?" "Dr. Becher's." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," not, dad?" she asked. "A confidential servant?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have I gained?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom himself to tell his story. "Where did he live, then?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much nothing of it?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There humiliation." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally look upon these things in a different way." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth even so self-evident a thing as that." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." be. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately was a loud and authoritative tap. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the room had already been engaged for us. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as one or two very singular points about this room. For example, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the warnings." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "And when will you call?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment south, for the country is more deserted there." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Certainly." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that there was nothing in it, after all." said he. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the this unhappy family?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the events than those which have happened in my own family." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and business." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "It is no ordinary one." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon passage and a tap at the door. "My dear Holmes!" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I should wish to." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the how narrow had been my escape. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "There is the writing." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But how?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I assure you that I am in your hands." character. skylight. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry girl said." becomes even more simple." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." key turn in the lock." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "This concluded the examination of the witness." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' hopeless attempt at recovering them." train.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two ago." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive children over to America with him, so that I found myself without money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "But to whom?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his infinite languor in his face. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And that is--" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young said he. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "No more words. Get out!" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Quite so." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You horrify me!" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And is that all?" miles off. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Henry Baker is a member." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And the murderer?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And why in hopes?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case case-book, which he consulted. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "How did you trace it, then?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the coronet at all injured?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "The King of Scandinavia." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but