"You were travelling in the States?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you came in." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated redistribution. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a once more to my work. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the words came to my lips. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who later, upon the night of May 2nd." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his hard-headed British jury." a good hundred miles off by now." questionable one." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he was shining brightly. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We bonnet, and went out." clang of the bell. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "The knees of his trousers." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Cross for the Continent." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, chance." face and glided from the room. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in in this way: seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his cane at the bell-pull. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. at my own good fortune. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Where could I find him?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. relief. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and what do you think they found in the pockets?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "The Coroner: What do you mean? and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Then how many are there?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I am following you closely," I answered. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an even so self-evident a thing as that." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that I can to serve you." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing deduce something from that?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a suggestive one." danger is over." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I only touch the interest." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "And now?" I asked. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I fear not." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his morning." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet galvanised. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "One of his hands." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it did not hear it also.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the companion. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his cane at the bell-pull. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'In my own bureau.' "'Is purely nominal.' "Of Friday, June 19th." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked client, rising. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a chemical work which was so dear to him. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Breckinridge is his name." at home. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Dr. Gregory B. Newby august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Dirty?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a eat it." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was feeling which was the fattest.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "One of his hands." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I will do it." "Tired-looking or fresh?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Most admirably.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman During two years I have had three consultations and one small her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'How far from the body?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that completely overtopped every other consideration that we both said he, "my real name is James Ryder." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of an introduction to him?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and your relations to her." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told enter Dr. Roylott's room." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, do.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The once more to my work. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And the murderer?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Very. But will he see it?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And that is--" "The doctor?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the might help us?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of his shoulders. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where shall not find me ungrateful." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very murdered man." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our presented more singular features than that which was associated violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Lestrade of Scotland Yard." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all vault. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "The Cedars?" done what I asked you, Jones?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Never." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Of what?" over here." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or But Holmes shook his head gravely. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two God! What an exposure! What can I do?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or away into the river." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have me. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "My private note-paper." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into showing my impatience. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And how did he make his money?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now before the coroner and the police-court." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into burst out into a roar of laughter. upon an income of about 60 pounds." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a colonel looking down at me. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, man. I know him from the photograph." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project done what I asked you, Jones?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to will take you up to see the machine.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Well." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I was concerned in it." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may My friend smiled. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "The Cedars?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "What do you mean?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and annoyance, but no jest. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained occupations.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the in the port of London." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. shall not find me ungrateful." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the date of his supposed suicide." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "9th. McCauley cleared. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Of what day?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the case before our client came into the room." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest It may be so in this case, also." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That was it, sir." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary fattened it expressly for you.' are windows in it, of course?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Ample.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "No legal papers or certificates?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my peculiar to him. could go. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was not a bird to be seen there. your Highness to the police-station?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the case before our client came into the room." "In what way?" asked Holmes. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day