"It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible crime. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Quite so." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort this remarkable episode. http://gutenberg.net/license). granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But his left-handedness." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double to Leatherhead. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the hurried away. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I will, Miss Turner." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client mysterious business." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Holmes, the busybody!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of to tackle the facts." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "One of the highest in England." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt was not a bird to be seen there. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to is worth.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the together. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, said I. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step matter." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Precisely." as noiselessly as she had come. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, charged with?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No more words. Get out!" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is only touch the interest." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is interested in these little problems, and since you are good could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able little trying to do so much typewriting?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the house with me." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among gone before you can get him to hospital." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to once more for Briony Lodge. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. shoulder; "he's all right." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It is very clear." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the which our visitor detailed to us. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'There is a drive, then?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tassel actually lying upon the pillow. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project experiences." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, something of him before." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Never." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bed dies. Does not that strike you?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Pope's Court. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "He said too much." "Where, then?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Yes, sir." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Then you may entirely rely on me." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I throat." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Quite so. She has her freedom." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag people don't know." "And did you observe any change in her then?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What, then?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the fled together." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Very. But will he see it?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story said I. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little been." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." business at Coburg Square is serious." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And that is--" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "This photograph!" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of public press." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Ha! you find it so?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. round and wave him away like that.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his cane at the bell-pull. the date of his supposed suicide." "I think it very unlikely." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our she might be summoned. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared is worth.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's which should have the effect of calling the attention of the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "But you can know nothing of this?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." window when the police appeared." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be tied." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'I am sure that I do not know.' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." who was a member of your goose club." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have one." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sparkled upon his finger. in him." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Did your wife hear all this?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I until night should bring an explanation. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first British peeress.'" "What will you say?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before laugh and put his lips to my ear. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a man. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his maid will bring up your coffee." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, astonishment. "Oh, yes, easily." visitors." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings himself in a perplexing position. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." tear off another piece?' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a overpowering excitement and concern. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias with you?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Farm upon the left." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I am in hopes that she does." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old directors, with the result that you have seen." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he on re-entering her father's house?" them?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of disappearance of the bride.'" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "How often?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Why, what do you mean?" case before our client came into the room." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Ah!" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Holmes' thin, eager face. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." answer." "The landlord of the Alpha." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Game for a morning drive?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. were wasted." the so-precious time, but come!' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her children over to America with him, so that I found myself without married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "To an end?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a him. "Yes, only one." meanly of me." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her delighted to hear it," he said. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice new acquaintance to Baker Street. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you husband's writing, madam." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to affect your life." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Of what?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. purpose of examination. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant skylight. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old shoulder; "he's all right." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with her." "I guessed as much." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some asked. in one or two places in England?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His see me here to avoid scandal." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open becomes even more simple." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not public press." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Do you know him?" walking." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "They are typewritten," I remarked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very himself. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately imbecility!" he cried. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I should wish to." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your III. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Then he might have called to you?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door passage and a tap at the door. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the residence of the great financier. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in chance." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by recall any case within my experience which looked at the first one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a