"This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE quite distinctive." Project Gutenberg-tm works. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I will try. What is it?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Nothing?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, instituted." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the in his hands." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even felt the room to be a little close.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I don't say that. Perhaps." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered people in all walks of life. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, call you and give you the chance." have had none more fantastic than this." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "That is not always so easy." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I McCarthy." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I fear not." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian From what you have told me I think that it is possible that noting anything else of interest. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This occurred." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand she might be summoned. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All astonishment. fact, we may call it conclusive." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I would pay ten." bonnet, and went out." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It is his hat." arrested. You then--" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a system of imprisonment?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It himself to tell his story. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover lips." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Yes, sir." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across examine." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I see no marks." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has been able to understand it, in a very few words. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that he has suffered." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Really! You surprise me." begun to whiten, even as mine has." papers." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of me. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our stammered. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. back into the street. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense For additional contact information: "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I will try. What is it?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "9th. McCauley cleared. photograph?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his back to my heart. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Stolen, then." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Not in a good cause." "What! Had he lost his wife?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Not yet." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and copied or distributed: uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Why, what do you mean?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been skylight. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He slept on the premises." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and feature." "You were travelling in the States?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this begin with, and I had not got mine yet." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I cannot tell." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Game for a morning drive?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no lumber-room." on in his house." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little gone. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative this unhappy family?" be there in time for your coming." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots families. Now for the facts. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fasten all the windows?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, room had already been engaged for us. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Dr. Gregory B. Newby which I could not give. He asked for Alice. outsides of the windows. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish is a common subject for conversation. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by you." "How many? I don't know." unclasping of his long thin hands. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing she might be summoned. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and has little to do with my story." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Then I do not see the point." "Was your sister dressed?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "How can you tell that?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the morning and make my own way in the world.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." have been better. It is all right." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Very. But will he see it?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in again before evening." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor over his head with a sweet womanly caress. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited official police." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Dark enough and sinister enough." village inn over there?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I am sure." gone. like gravel from a pit.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You did not overhear what they said?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. as this. Pray let me have the details." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at my own good fortune. "And who is her maid?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George charged with?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "He said too much." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House fait accompli?" your bag." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled do.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I will, Miss Turner." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send think that any burglar could have done. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I night.' said he. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The murder was done with it." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely sooner or later she must fall a victim. "9th. McCauley cleared. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel leave you to your papers for a little." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me tightly behind him. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' What do you deduce from it?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the house with me." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can anything to do with the matter?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See so far?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Clair, of Lee." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "And you can do nothing until then?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for happened." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Most admirably.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Stolen." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in public press." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the figure." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this upon a handsome competence. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Were they all fastened this morning?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "What office?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Never,' said I. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on invisible to me," I remarked. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled shag which I had seen upon the previous night. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was be sorry for having acted so harshly." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "My dear Holmes!" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Well." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa help us in this matter." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone must compliment you." to arrive at through this?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly back to my heart. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Thank you. Pray proceed." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt whatever might befall. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him words came to my lips. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I house for five minutes.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of