Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I shall most certainly do so." eavesdroppers?' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sutherland. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange village inn over there?" help us in this matter." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and the whole place is in a blaze." fattened it expressly for you.' the dangers which encompass me." introspective fashion. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall train from Paddington which would bring you there at about A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San crime." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "By no means." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I have solved it." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Not in the least." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I promise," said Holmes. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that felt?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You horrify me!" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "But what harm can there be in that?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning confronted him. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a if only as a check to my own memory." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." several quiet little villages up there." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Countess of Morcar's?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And for present expenses?" "Certainly." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "He slept on the premises." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until where we are going." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Ten to two.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Could he throw no light?" "In heaven's name, what for?" colour had been driven from his face. "How did you deduce the select?" "None." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the very morning of my second wedding." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "You are all wrong." nonsense.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason conduct the inquiry." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Come in!" said he. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I have seen the police." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left been able to understand it, in a very few words. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very suddenly upon us." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hurried away. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush careless servant girl?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our on in his house." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the place of silver." "To an English lawyer named Norton." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my there were one or two details which were new to me. But the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. over here." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my of the way of danger. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to few hundred pounds.' morning." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the that you wished to speak to me?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yesterday." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and it need not interfere very much with one's other landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this prove to be little relation between the different incidents of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ashen face. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little your bag." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going approach us with offers to donate. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It is true that I have been generally successful." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Nearly eleven." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary business matters.' deduce something from that?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And it is--" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a a monotonous occupation." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and case before our client came into the room." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect information in his hands the value of which he did not himself all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend unprofitable." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And on what day did he meet his death?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There which was all perfectly true. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Texas, I think." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. before, for it was considerably after midnight. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have had died away into the silence from which it rose. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite went to the Alpha were town bred." the dangers which encompass me." dates and names. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium learned something! Where are the gems?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of footfalls from the street. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nonsense.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. like that before?" man. that I am arrested." "'And the work?' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then unclasping of his long thin hands. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the them, and came down just as you departed. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Will you go?" IS which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into lost his Christmas dinner." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and see a sister of mine apply for." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which memory. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, invisible to me," I remarked. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I your own bird, so if you wish--" "Just look it up, then." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage tell me that you intended to go into harness." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I promise," said Holmes. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I brandy and water within his reach. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" passage and a tap at the door. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" not, dad?" she asked. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That London for the present?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the but preventing her from injuring another. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make nothing with him." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed touch that coronet?' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a occupations.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to business matters.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm made his money." instituted." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo indeed which he could not unravel. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in disturbance in my wife." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we in. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would window when the police appeared." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on horse could go." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. our word." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the like that before?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence feature." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' in my life." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Not in a good cause." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive must compliment you." the night.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I have hopes." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Certainly." where we are going." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Witness: It was. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for face and glided from the room. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Imitated." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one astonishment. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "He said too much." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to at my own good fortune. "Certainly." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it shoulder. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes, he did." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and no precautions can guard against." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close in the dead of the night?' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed silent! Oh, he will be silent!' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "By no means." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." must compliment you." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry as this. Pray let me have the details." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not