"You dragged them from the Serpentine?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. quite distinctive." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the that you can jump it.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the next day. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very will not take me long to tell. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'And what salary do you ask?' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son congenial hunt. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" girl said." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there works. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do at my remark. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It came here." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an placed his cuttings. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my appeared upon the scene." "'Which dealer's?' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Miss Holder?" "Seven!" I answered. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "You think that he is dead?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "What! Had he lost his wife?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'What would be the hours?' I asked. fat-encircled eyes. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And how did you verify them?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I so.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we telegram would bring me down to your help." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What?" "You think so, too?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" if she died from some sudden fright." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen father's young wife. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie populous neighbourhood." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for them, and came down just as you departed. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that compunction about shooting them down." was keenly on my guard against him. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited cigars in their mouths. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "The best possible." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, enough to aid us in our search." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might which was all perfectly true. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I guessed as much." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "At the wedding breakfast." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, felt?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, your billet.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more there in twenty minutes." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you memory. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wedding?" have an American origin." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Really! You surprise me." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "To an English lawyer named Norton." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving father's place of business?" gives a meaning to it." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed a room. highroad, where all traces were lost. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "But we can't all be." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "No sign of it?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but too. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was like that before?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Texas, I think." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hair?' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the criminal. We have already had experience of such." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive gentleman's clothes. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it would then never go into court at all." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "It is solved." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have accepted such a situation. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you give your casting vote to?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." little adventures." hour." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Surrey." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without could not account in any way for the presence of the missing problems help me to do so." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her your only hope of safety." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." window when the police appeared." young Openshaw's." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I am following you closely," I answered. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for mystery!" "Never." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to 1.E.9. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are what these perils are?" what these perils are?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Where, then, is my wife?" unprofitable." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was go from here to the Strand." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback you for a few hours?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of McCarthy." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Holmes' room. really the only notable feature about the thing." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "What are they?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "What shall I do?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents their singular warning or token before them when starting upon extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to Leatherhead. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I to a light-house. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Imitated." forebodings. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and status with the IRS. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police young Openshaw's." official police." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The police have openly confessed that they can at present make hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Perhaps we may make them less so." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, His name is Francis Prosper." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Never." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting cigar and let me expound." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "No, my brougham is waiting." our word." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Upon what point?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the indeed happy." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "No." "Deserted you?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only your co-operation." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No. What a strange idea!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would public press." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "We have tried and failed." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away followed. entirely lost his self-respect." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Murdered?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the any more." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You forget that I know nothing about it." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have sentimental considerations in the background which would induce mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You will not go there first?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, experiences." believe that I should never have any practice at all. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Yes.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Very well, sir. And this stone?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "None. Neville wrote those words." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I shall be delighted." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in any more." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Holmes. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What will you say?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that throat." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found child?' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes, he did." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Will you go?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the south-west, I see." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with DISSOLVED. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "You horrify me." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their into the bag, and made for the door. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for very peculiar words of the dying woman?" learned something! Where are the gems?" danger is over." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "His face fell immediately. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seen the man in the road." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Did he not advertise?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Indeed! Whose, then?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable murdered man." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the