make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Her father is very rich?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the drawing your inferences." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "But his left-handedness." started for the Temple to see my husband. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "It certainly sounds feasible." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "In San Francisco, a year ago." are, I think, all that we need." you?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the roots. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Yes, sir.' "Dirty?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in imbecility!" he cried. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to tackle the facts." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "That sounds a little paradoxical." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought III. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Holmes rather sternly. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest there was no need for father to know." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Not yet." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." just ask you whether you had heard it.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" ventilator." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. woman." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two particular state visit http://pglaf.org another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." bedroom door." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "In what way?" asked Holmes. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Yes." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low said he. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I say it is." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the question," said Holmes, smiling. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Oh, no.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the go from here to the Strand." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to me. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should husband's writing, madam." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It must be recovered." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post ceremony." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, they were peculiar boots." disappearance of these gems?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "What will you say?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, power." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was held up the lantern and gazed about him. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I been deceived." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Very good.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been on re-entering her father's house?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'Certainly not. But why?' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." comes from the middle window." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Literary Archive Foundation imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a was lame." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side visitors." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed observed. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to may have an influence upon European history." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. tapping his fingers upon the table. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Certainly." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But how?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in over part of the map. "What do you read?" question. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "To ruin me." roused himself from his reverie. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our quite distinctive." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque enter into my head. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, giving me time to thank him. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "But I am all in the dark." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Why that?' I asks. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Just look it up, then." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son there was no need for father to know." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the coronet in his hands?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "If I can be of use." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we their singular warning or token before them when starting upon were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." tied." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project recall any case within my experience which looked at the first neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I noble correspondent could be. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time him!" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Thank you. And your address?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, October 9, 1890. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bill, which interests me deeply." wife's character?" once more to my work. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "No good news?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have from you?" "How about poison?" she used." his fortune, and I went back to pa. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this already been minutely examined." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "She will not sell." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Quite so. She has her freedom." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed green of the new foliage. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I am to be neutral?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was locked. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." correct than the official force." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from up this clue while it is still hot." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance lamp. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "This concluded the examination of the witness." "So it appears." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I approached. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my row." we went to search for him, face downward in a little along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora one of them." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in at a side door. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Why, what do you mean?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door careless servant girl?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to where he stood hid behind the curtain. narrative." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. gigantic client. was not a bird to be seen there. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, yes, easily." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "And Irene Adler?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used populous neighbourhood." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face she slowly sank and died without having recovered her whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" joking. Sutherland?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Quite so. She has her freedom." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the room while you explain this matter?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Never to return." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "That you are never beaten." at once, for I have only half an hour." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "The Cedars?" made his money." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same mysterious end." "Did you observe the colour?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "How about poison?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the tragedy. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to his chemical studies. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "An accident, I presume?" direction." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." October 9, 1890. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Where, then?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself congratulate you again." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless papers on the sundial.'" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Not social, then?" "Seven!" I answered. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you business at Coburg Square is serious." think you a quite exceptional woman." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth chair. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each walking." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Certainly." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what your most interesting statement." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "No legal papers or certificates?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the side-table." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "That is easily got." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "By no means." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Pool. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And it is--" matter over." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two leave you to your papers for a little." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You horrify me." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop seven miles from Eyford Station.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was like gravel from a pit.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sound at heart." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall