glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent my special province." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "We were both in the photograph." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Oh, yes, easily." "Not in the least." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the unclasping of his long thin hands. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Very truly yours, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the devil!" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands upon the shelf for the interim." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." appeared upon the scene." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Not social, then?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain business at Coburg Square is serious." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "When did it break out?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think advice." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Who by?" invisible to me," I remarked. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Was there a secret marriage?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hopeless attempt at recovering them." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, shall not find me ungrateful." "When did it break out?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that threaten you." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Very. But will he see it?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No, but the enclosure is." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another disturbance in my wife." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, congenial hunt. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I cannot say that I have." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "None." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, DAMAGE. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Literary Archive Foundation "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "None." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, less than 26s. 4d. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms populous neighbourhood." awaited us upon the table. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Then, as to money?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Do you know him?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! tightly behind him. the Red-headed League." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "By all means." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, meanly of me." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out shadow pass over his face as I spoke. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the dangers which encompass me." that you wished to speak to me?' that there was nothing in it, after all." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "You are hungry," I remarked. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Where, then?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "How long did she speak to this Alice?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is very kind of you." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Munro.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to side. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to such attractions and accomplishments?' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Where is it, then?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Certainly not. But why?' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our front of me. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I felt the room to be a little close.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you felt?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. touch that coronet?' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, done what I asked you, Jones?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Quite so." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The with frightened eyes at his accuser. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Was your sister dressed?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And the cigar-holder?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the it." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of his shoulders. bonnet, and went out." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Pray let us have it, for all that." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm she has been waylaid. There has been no result." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as there is a decided draught." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined followed. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And sit in the dark?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Precisely so. But how--" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and glanced through. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'I have already given you my word.' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each had picked up in the wood. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle ill-usage at the hands of fortune. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." investigation." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I cannot as yet see any connection." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It was." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an such person." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. II. "Never." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age this unhappy family?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "A greater distance to travel." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Thank you. And your address?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And what did you learn from him?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with My friend smiled. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and shall probably return to London by the evening train." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that death." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Not yet." laugh and put his lips to my ear. will he say when he returns?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "One of his hands." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was go back?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of look dissatisfied." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having union?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "An enemy?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Dr. Becher's." "I think it very unlikely." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Yes." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "They are typewritten," I remarked. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "But the mystery?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt young Openshaw's." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." just ask you whether you had heard it.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have got?" "Game for a morning drive?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an more terrible than the truth. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they bedroom door." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had formerly been in part my own. "Yes." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I think that I could be of assistance to you." my special province." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "It is his hat." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clanging. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it friend's singular character. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Pope's Court. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we there is a decided draught." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the weapon." in the hope of finding them." newspaper selections." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and I shall be with you presently." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "One of the highest in England." beg that you will break it off." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were think, you have already met." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I do." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending entirely lost his self-respect." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "In what way?" asked Holmes. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. forebodings. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I