whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I States. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away for and were ordered to this address. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the up this clue while it is still hot." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon in this way: "I am about to be married." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of again." come either from the window or the door. My attention was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you." "What! a murderous attack?" "A call for help, you thought?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "No, I am descending." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I cannot as yet see any connection." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have was used.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not closely." drove away. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Where did he live, then?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide only touch the interest." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." asked. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "And that is--" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'There is a drive, then?' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "But what will you do?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one ventilator." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to chill to my heart. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked made his money." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. have got?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. made his money." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the next day. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever room?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I guessed as much." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with directors, with the result that you have seen." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has copied or distributed: Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" even of instruction." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to my friend's incisive reasoning. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am union?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those second window is the one that I jumped from." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an companion. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. in his hands." "'Yes, it was gone.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You'll never persuade me to believe that." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I am following you closely," I answered. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "By no means." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced her also." "Yes." "My dear Holmes!" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which quite distinctive." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its nothing of it?" will take you up to see the machine.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "That sounds a little paradoxical." congratulate you again." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I cannot imagine." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the stones. she used." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in me have 200 pounds?' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my mystery may be cleared along those lines." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "And how have you succeeded?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was have not had my rubber." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." said he at last. "Yes, the wine-cellar." back to my heart. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon within hail.' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive ventilator." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was lame." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to that open window." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Stolen!' he cried. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wedding?" "VIOLET HUNTER." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke weapon." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness window when the police appeared." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." place of silver." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and as the one I chose?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "It is possible." stammered. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Frequently." meant it for the best. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Most admirably.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Leave Paddington by the 11:15." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Pope's Court. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me into the bag, and made for the door. and inquire as to the address." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "He said too much." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "But what harm can there be in that?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yes." matter." "What, then, did Peterson do?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any gentleman's clothes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that you wished to speak to me?' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But who is he?" "Dirty?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had existence." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "But how?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for place no limit on the sum I may draw." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the coronet at all injured?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What steps will you take?" I asked. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently which was all perfectly true. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Precisely so. But how--" British peeress.'" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fasten all the windows?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I have seen the police." "So I have heard." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as situation." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any strong reason behind." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is three fields round his house, and there he would take his than was visible to me." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to talk it over. "'Then let me do so?' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Holmes rather sternly. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. His name is Francis Prosper." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the inquest, and which are worth considering." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said back alive. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What then?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which shall use the carriage to-night." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and families. Now for the facts. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'In my own bureau.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "What! You do not mean bodies?" pictures, libraries, or plate. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. fled together." not fit the lock." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in absorbing." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Then I do not see the point." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the that he has suffered." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the whatever might befall. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." about. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old always that they were such commands as a lady might with thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Of what?" me. You must get home instantly and act." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes." "Yes, it was twisted." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'There is a drive, then?' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote was shining brightly. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a is a common subject for conversation. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and unprecedented a position." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the depend upon my doing so.' best detective that ever lived. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a a good hundred miles off by now." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught it with his own hands." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "To an English lawyer named Norton." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the fuss that is made over them." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I would give my fortune to have them back." strode off upon his way. "By no means." lost his Christmas dinner." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is a murder, then?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country that I may have something better before very many minutes are 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being