avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be done what I asked you, Jones?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, your own bird, so if you wish--" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "My last client of the sort was a king." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "How did that help you?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "That was it, sir." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a good hundred miles off by now." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There observed. "What I expected to see." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the questionable one." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I think that I could be of assistance to you." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the lumber-room." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. know that the truth is known." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good intimate personal affairs in this public manner." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I guessed as much." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and that he would see to anything that turned up. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never really the only notable feature about the thing." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains do.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so beg that you will break it off." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. feature." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sutherland?" introspective fashion. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I cigar and let me expound." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to other lovers by making love himself." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Count Von Kramm." excitement. dates and names. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the fire. You quite follow me?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Oh, the cause is excellent!" matter." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Were they all fastened this morning?" to-night?" I asked. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It surprised me." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which father's place of business?" noble correspondent could be. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "What do you mean?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but must compliment you." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do friend's singular character. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." nonsense.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I door?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And now?" I asked. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I think you a quite exceptional woman." security.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "A client, then?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'And the work?' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the station." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my mysterious business." strength in the others." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever an introduction to him?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "The best possible." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." be best to do. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not 'please.'" one of the states of the Union." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with your Highness to the police-station?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Again Holmes raved in the air. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The King of Scandinavia." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a system of imprisonment?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office photograph?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the driver. footfalls from the street. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The King stared at him in amazement. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon is a common subject for conversation. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found this man was intellectual?" "At what time?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I cannot tell." disturbance in my wife." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "It is his hat." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Why? What do you mean?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple know what is wrong with it.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, drove away. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes' room. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it father's young wife. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net wedding?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that never will be, entirely cleared up. "How on earth--" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the persecution?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this formed some opinion?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No more words. Get out!" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among get her out of the way." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was it brought him the coronet? inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Lee, in the county of Kent." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you certainly not very gracious." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, husband's writing, madam." three of the beryls in it, was missing. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "And you can do nothing until then?" the house with me." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that you can jump it.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "What I expected to see." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and your relations to her." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers prisoner's face. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" obstinate." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each as he remarks, very much against the son." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I nodded to show that I had heard. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I should like to see him very much." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in directly by questioning you." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which one of the states of the Union." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there has been an enclosure here!" 11:15.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "So I heard. You have him here?" where we are going." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the matter?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "This photograph!" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But how will you look?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in your London, you will know that the office of the company is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be people don't know." "Absolutely none." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his returning from some small jollification and was making his way friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of his shoulders. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged answered with a sidelong glance. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Have you good authority for what you say?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP this Miss Turner." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and you." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "On Monday." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in the port of London." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had back to my heart. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "The doctor?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, success. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. that?' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the foresight and the moral retrogression?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one union?" "Of what?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "What!" he roared. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "His face fell immediately. his huge brown hands. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Was she in good spirits?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my awkward doing business with an alias." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." tell them apart.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." beg that you will break it off." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred