stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of brandy and water within his reach. "Where did he live, then?" "You have carte blanche." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up burst into a hearty fit of laughter. locked." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "And how have you succeeded?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I was sure that I might rely on you." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Nothing." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You have a clue?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. girl said." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. at a side door. "I will not look." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing him." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, one which it was hard to resist. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the disappearance of the bride.'" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to key turn in the lock." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "We must have a cab." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "But of what society?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. someone who had been in Australia." the morning and make my own way in the world.' sake, don't!" clanging. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but very old mansion. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set particular state visit http://pglaf.org Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It was a confession," I ejaculated. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "He said too much." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as he remarks, very much against the son." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' on in his house." woven round him. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his had this final quarrel? iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I shall continue with my miserable story. "Not social, then?" promised to bring home. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fait accompli?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself key of the affair now." closing the door. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit sentimental considerations in the background which would induce matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the least a most suspicious remark." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "No?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with companion imperturbably. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was friend's singular character. room had already been engaged for us. fire. You quite follow me?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a few minutes he said that it would be all right. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which some city in a dream. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a interests were the same as his." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "And when will you call?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "You have carte blanche." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" way: photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "About a month then." door?" "In heaven's name, what for?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear will he say when he returns?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, taking in every detail of the apartment. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "He disappeared so suddenly." was feeling which was the fattest.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic so.' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord bachelor.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Pray be precise as to details," said he. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and that he would see to anything that turned up. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'There is a drive, then?' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Sholtos." "And what did you see?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "But of what society?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Holmes." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And now?" He raised his hand. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Whose house is it?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all upon the sideboard." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' front of me. "Thank you. And your address?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. II. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "My own seal." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "That's no good." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "But she will refuse." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I have been better. It is all right." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their most important business. It is probable that he will be away all entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the society." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I leaning back in his chair. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You are all wrong." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing it were putty." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." guilty one." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the lamp. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round reach." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" highly," said Holmes. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my this as likely?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." certainly not very gracious." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." noble correspondent could be. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg certainly do as you advise." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'How far from the body?' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' everything which you would wish to know." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in darkness. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary opened a pocket-book and took out a note. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her touch that coronet?' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of his shoulders. Sutherland. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Just look it up, then." Holmes rather sternly. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment three of the beryls in it, was missing. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful it. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as chance at all." place of silver." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Yes, there are nearly always some there." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a said he. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Can I be of assistance?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Pray continue your narrative." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to that open window." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and became a certainty. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'I shall certainly be there.' I nodded again. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And who is her maid?" "'Very good.' here and I will read it to you: call it cruel." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Have you it here?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us photograph?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Yes." "And what then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a derbies." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of acted in my house last night?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which was all perfectly true. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Bought." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "But I am all in the dark." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he go from here to the Strand." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for me upon any point which I do not make clear." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what instituted." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored never came back." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle him!" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as past. been shamefully used." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It was." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you 1.F. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "What then?" and a shock of very red hair. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "No." Mrs. Toller serenely. remarked. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Ah!" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can