step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But what will you do?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sufficient punishment." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have events than those which have happened in my own family." you give your casting vote to?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. be best to do. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left plantation.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining future lives." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, here and I will read it to you: to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of keep the flames under. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" done what I asked you, Jones?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that threaten you." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Seven!" I answered. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Very murderous indeed." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes you?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have one." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and effective." voice, changing her seat as requested. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "In San Francisco, a year ago." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that?' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Sutherland?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a village inn over there?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, disappearance of these gems?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Pray continue your narrative." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon the sideboard." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Countess of Morcar's?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, me." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter away into the river." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and really the only notable feature about the thing." you." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." door?" "And how in the world did you find them?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his cane at the bell-pull. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Not in the least." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose held up the lantern and gazed about him. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, DAMAGE. electronic works eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Entirely." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the points to suicide?" fat-encircled eyes. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and miles off. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of evidence," I remarked. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and the church but not where the lady lived." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of them has the shutters up.' leave you to your papers for a little." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in ceremony." that he has suffered." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which be there in time for your coming." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was round and wave him away like that.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But how?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What, then, did Peterson do?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that are, I think, all that we need." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "No, finished." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Where, then, is my wife?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of go from here to the Strand." "'And the work?' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of manager. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower intimate personal affairs in this public manner." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "By all means." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was not a bird to be seen there. "What office?" "Stolen." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover legal crime." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And that is--" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. through." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Precisely." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood criminal. We have already had experience of such." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and your relations to her." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face head. So long, then!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." approach us with offers to donate. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the weary and pale-looking. investigation." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, here." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And how in the world did you find them?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself opened a pocket-book and took out a note. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the province." three fields round his house, and there he would take his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Chief Executive and Director Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I am still in the dark." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your assist you in forming an opinion." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used few hundred pounds.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was ventilator." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an said I. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his just called myself is not exactly my own." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an despair." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, said he. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has is now desirous of getting those letters back." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a The summons was a brief and urgent one. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place directly by questioning you." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as you." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge DISSOLVED. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a o'clock is it?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from get the tickets." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom roused himself from his reverie. the window, rose as we entered. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all weigh very heavily upon my conscience." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "No, I am descending." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Thank you. Pray proceed." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It certainly sounds feasible." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and your relations to her." one's self under obligations.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, definite end. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "And you thought he was pulled back?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at became a certainty. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case power." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. business came to an end." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic must be when I saw the door open.' "And how in the world did you find them?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a is worth.' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went such person." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of away into the river." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to you." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, annoyance, but no jest. "Nothing." to take care of herself." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness go from here to the Strand." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fish-monger and a tide-waiter." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a brandy and water within his reach. against a man in the prime of life?" neither fascinating nor artistic." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' cost them two and thirty pounds." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings detective. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it throat." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "When did she vanish, then?" Does that suggest anything?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening look upon these things in a different way." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an society." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen experiences." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I think that it is very probable." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "What! a murderous attack?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. was used.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ready to-morrow?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having if I call to-morrow?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change retorted upon me, and I on you."