more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Clair, of Lee." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either charge against him will break down." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. wife's character?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon records." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, o'clock is it?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Munro.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was it brought him the coronet? "Could he throw no light?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who business at Coburg Square is serious." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Perhaps I have." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I will do it." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as minor matters until to-morrow." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black particular state visit http://pglaf.org the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But you have hopes?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is prepare for the new role I have to play." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever completely overtopped every other consideration that we both a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other be best to do. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he giving me time to thank him. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as himself. important." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and desk. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Is he quiet?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that congratulate you again." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "What of the rat, then?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hand, madam?" and inquire as to the address." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the answered with a sidelong glance. way in everything. is so. I know all about McCarthy." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. me what he had done with the three missing stones. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager his grey eyes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. generous with you in money matters.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so intimate personal affairs in this public manner." absorbing." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Entirely.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a galvanised. our word." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers back into the street. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly certainly do as you advise." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "My stepfather's business papers." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I was sure that I might rely on you." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it other lovers by making love himself." "'Why that?' I asks. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: to tackle the facts." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come morning." to-morrow." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "There is the writing." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and little adventures." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was straightened it out again. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "10th. John Swain cleared. conceal it?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who writer." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was opened the door, and slipped through. both be extremely obliged.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about considering the formidable letters which were received by himself it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "No, but the enclosure is." said I. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "It is very kind of you." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain been shamefully used." definite end. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his already been minutely examined." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Henry Baker is a member." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the said Mr. Holder. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Tell me all about it,' said I. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and despaired of." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a is a common subject for conversation. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Mary, has deserted me." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'No, I know no one in these parts.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so note?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the ashen face. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "To an English lawyer named Norton." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "So I heard. You have him here?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Why did you pick him?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those there is a decided draught." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner yet." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without straighten it?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and crackling voice. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he fashion which was peculiar to him. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness not fit the lock." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would woven round him. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "So I heard. You have him here?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He outbreak?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I am in hopes that she does." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was keenly on my guard against him. father's place of business?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter over here." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Imitated." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I don't say that. Perhaps." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more during the last few years, and there are many noble families to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. tell them apart.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to your equipment. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Very much so." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately might have a private word with us. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Lee, in the county of Kent." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he more solid." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past than to us. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, some hundreds of times." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "What is it?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to Leatherhead. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Dr. Gregory B. Newby all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Entirely." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Never,' said I. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Then he might have called to you?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying deduce something from that?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Precisely so. But how--" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question works. companion imperturbably. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "She will not sell." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. this poor creature." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all recover the gem." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'And the work?' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I nodded to show that I had heard. appeal." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the bed, and you in that chair." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I will try. What is it?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away desk. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Very much so." the bed, and you in that chair." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "The landlord of the Alpha." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hour." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Gutenberg-tm License. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of happened." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to his chemical studies. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith you do it in twenty minutes!' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each vague figure huddled up in the darkness. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Come in!" said Holmes. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, o'clock is it?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working noting anything else of interest. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over derbies." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither note?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small there has been an enclosure here!" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and all that?" "Well?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes, sir." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply one which it was hard to resist. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate.