that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of had formerly been in part my own. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment really the only notable feature about the thing." do.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his rooms." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "None." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little papers on the sundial.'" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Thank you. Pray proceed." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the closing the door. cigars in their mouths. such attractions and accomplishments?' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, cup of tea. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I deduce something from that?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed gbnewby@pglaf.org very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his face which made him a very different person to the round, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that crowd. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But how could you guess what the motive was?" writing, and yet I know it well." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, the wine-cellar." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My important." hour?' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your chill to my heart. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hurried by. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hand, madam?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become figure." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "At the wedding breakfast." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you over here." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You will not go there first?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Never." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small weary and pale-looking. companion quietly. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a out of this horrible affair." an introduction to him?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Did your wife hear all this?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I have my revolver," said I. beyond words. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "10th. John Swain cleared. "To ruin me." "What shall I do?" that, and I came down." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" outside." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "My last client of the sort was a king." case before our client came into the room." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are gives a meaning to it." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain least a fellow-countryman. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now cause to be." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "What will you say?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to surprise her." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five always that they were such commands as a lady might with handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Well, some hundreds of times." during that time.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but of it with the greatest attention. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Pray let us have it, for all that." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I shall be delighted." "What do you mean?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she with some details as to your case." Cross for the Continent." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential there is a decided draught." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to tell." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a The summons was a brief and urgent one. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well again." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew conclusions. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, best detective that ever lived. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "My private note-paper." "'Which dealer's?' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless it with his own hands." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of receipt of the work. guilty one." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Will you go?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near mysterious business." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so confronted him. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Frequently." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back ago." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: about here speaks of his kindness to him." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Yes, he did." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time hour." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I see no marks." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a little more before I quite committed myself. business matters.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened your troubles." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You know me, then?" the coronet in his hands?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ran thus: fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "What have you to say now?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Entirely.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite must compliment you." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you whatever might befall. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Where does the thing come from?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," photograph?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of will not take me long to tell. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were this as likely?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my became a certainty. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting business came to an end." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, highroad, where all traces were lost. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Can I be of assistance?" them?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, asked. "And how have you succeeded?" in the port of London." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the crime. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and looked back. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the anything to do with the matter?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "About a month then." when your master had gone out." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was quite distinctive." through." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'I shall certainly be there.' brandy and water within his reach. key turn in the lock." "Precisely." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have overpowering excitement and concern. back alive. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my question," said Holmes, smiling. might help us?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Foundation remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to approach us with offers to donate. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I should be immensely obliged to you." correct than the official force." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw seem to you to be relevant or not." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my nonsense.' "Well, some hundreds of times." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked your troubles." "What I expected to see." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn six. Come in!" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Two days later this same performance was gone through under father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I father's place of business?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Then let me do so?' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing heavy and sharp instrument." "Proceed, then." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to you." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that you for a few hours?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation approach us with offers to donate. "'I am sure that I do not know.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Here?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yesterday." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, woman." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY silent! Oh, he will be silent!' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I yourselves in at night?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the main points of my analysis." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "May I see it?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of standing smiling on the door-step. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a dates and names. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "In answer to an advertisement." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the