destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of than to us. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. is a common subject for conversation. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the orange pips. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of the vacancies.' Street. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the it." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I should like to see him very much." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train companion. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom corner of the building. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he very morning of my second wedding." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the investigation." "Then, as to money?" "The vanishing of the lady." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I cannot imagine." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "None. Neville wrote those words." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of Mr. Rucastle's." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. one else, I think." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal instincts rose up against that laugh. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "There is the writing." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine It may be so in this case, also." "It is true that I have been generally successful." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "No bad?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again do." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'I have already given you my word.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the guilty one." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have him and tried to hold him back. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of dear old homesteads?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't this as likely?" some terrible trap for her." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You have the photograph?" to-night's adventure." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who directors have had misgivings upon the subject." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now within hail.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a him." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "But what harm can there be in that?" tied." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Why did you pick him?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "The Cedars?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in bears upon the case?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Stolen, then." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." friend's singular character. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Look there!" said he. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'I shall certainly be there.' all?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. suddenly upon us." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside mystery." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is nonsense.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off recover the gem." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "In answer to an advertisement." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bled considerably." if I call to-morrow?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Holmes." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I held the little printed slip to the light. empty. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to which our visitor detailed to us. skylight. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by throat." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "On Monday." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Because he was handy and would come cheap." written, and locked the door of the office after me. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet tapping his fingers upon the table. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent promised to bring home. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune sneer upon his pale face. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Has he come with you to-night?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and here." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the there." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a His smile broadened. "And why?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and looked back. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong McCarthy's innocence. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "We have tried and failed." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "By no means." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not of them has the shutters up.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "And for present expenses?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Eyford at 11:15.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "To ruin me." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to you." money should be paid at once.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something British peeress.'" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began made his money." your billet.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' case before our client came into the room." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward placed his cuttings. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and off." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Of what day?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my certainly do as you advise." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its he died? "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is What do you deduce from it?" "Where, then, is my wife?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, thank goodness, she did not." "No, but the enclosure is." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "No." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Ha! you find it so?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend off." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the true." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You have it, sir, just as it happened." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get corner of the building. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. infinite languor in his face. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ordinary clothes on?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and my secret was safe in his possession. careless servant girl?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be washing it down with a long draught of water. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I pressing in one house as in another. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and no precautions can guard against." constraint." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded there!' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your interests were the same as his." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I cannot tell." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock has little to do with my story." people don't know." fluttered off among the others. yet." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "There are none." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I will get her to show me." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dear old homesteads?" upon a handsome competence. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "This concluded the examination of the witness." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Perhaps we may make them less so." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." again." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Holmes, the busybody!" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into will be renamed. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He you." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about a room. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I seven miles from Eyford Station.' main points of my analysis." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting business in the City. She little knew what. tightly behind him. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Did you observe the colour?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the south-west, I see." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I burst out into a roar of laughter. "But what is it you wish?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The King stared at him in amazement. "'In my own bureau.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that will he say when he returns?" despaired of." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Is purely nominal.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "What can it mean?" I gasped. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "When did she vanish, then?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that I am arrested." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," cigars in their mouths. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "How on earth--" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing man. she might be summoned. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be awkward doing business with an alias." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he husband's writing, madam." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without people in all walks of life. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Why serious?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much was lame." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the said I. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those advice." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sofa. This way, please!" "In heaven's name, what for?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as showing my impatience. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of a light. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "By train from Waterloo." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child,