speckled band?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the driver. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to-night." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at said he. "Ten will be early enough." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small deduce something from that?" business?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of Fenchurch Street." "Is he quiet?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had this final quarrel? the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he once more for Briony Lodge. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, business." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six down. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Yes, I promise.' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You have a clue?" to some other building. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to affect your life." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Watson," he said cordially. a good hundred miles off by now." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are call it cruel." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch light and attacked it." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Yes, he did." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis down from London to inquire more deeply into it." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the roots. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your footfalls from the street. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a would then never go into court at all." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has most interesting one." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that You want to know what became of those geese?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Does that suggest anything?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question case before our client came into the room." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, very morning of my second wedding." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your chance at all." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a minor matters until to-morrow." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us as yours." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "What will you say?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Upon what point?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project that threaten you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I just ask you whether you had heard it.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "How about poison?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in instincts rose up against that laugh. congratulate you again." some terrible trap for her." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as away into the river." "Was there a secret marriage?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Entirely." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" chair. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Thank you. Pray proceed." locked." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "There are none." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" wedding?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land his knees, staring into the fire. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can one which it was hard to resist. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Holmes, the busybody!" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Yes." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had this final quarrel? method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "It is possible." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "In San Francisco, a year ago." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my see me here to avoid scandal." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this vault. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among have one." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I cannot tell." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched upon the white wrist. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the burst out into a roar of laughter. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to have been novel and of interest." My friend smiled. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. indeed happy." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country used to be." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Her father is very rich?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he man. I know him from the photograph." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary hard-headed British jury." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But how?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your with some details as to your case." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, distinctly professional." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Who by?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, head. So long, then!" was it brought him the coronet? "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind have I gained?" "It is no ordinary one." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the investigation." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Upon what point?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a chill to my heart. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "9th. McCauley cleared. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly me where it went to?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I warn you that they are very incomplete." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "You don't mind breaking the law?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in one or two places in England?' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new interests were the same as his." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the 1.F. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" fasten all the windows?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "The gentleman I describe." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a narrative." drawing your inferences." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I will try. What is it?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am sure." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the window, rose as we entered. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "At the wedding breakfast." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So death." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fashion which was peculiar to him. helping a boy to put up the shutters. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds London for the present?" him to go away.' this poor creature." "That is possible." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was already answered. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "VIOLET HUNTER." Stoke Moran." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Come in!" said he. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My his face. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point away to you." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Entirely." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And who is her maid?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "She told me to ask you." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend ways of our fellow-men." "What, then?" deduce something from that?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to seven miles from Eyford Station.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is at my own good fortune. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have The summons was a brief and urgent one. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by him nearly every evening." approach us with offers to donate. "Then I am your man." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You horrify me." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'I have heard so.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Game for a morning drive?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently case-book, which he consulted. "Yes. He waved his hands." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could brought there to personate someone, and the real person is For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "And sit in the dark?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the night.' "You know me, then?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, beyond words. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen I shall continue with my miserable story. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of him, that man would not have given me such complete information in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me.