cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the spare." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in hand, madam?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Entirely." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "This concluded the examination of the witness." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the For additional contact information: forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work wedding?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a said I. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a unprofitable." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "There is the writing." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' been deceived." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond it." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Sutherland?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about him." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You know me, then?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his wife has ceased to love him." "You think so, too?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to your room." charge against him will break down." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner yards of it?' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to talk it over. flock.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, ran thus: prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at because she had spent so short a time in this country that she pierced for earrings?" mysterious end." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the your billet.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But you can know nothing of this?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Bought." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was have I gained?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the an introduction to him?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means or in danger--" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been one's self under obligations.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary indiscretion." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "How can you tell that?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the shoulder; "he's all right." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room has little to do with my story." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then to have been novel and of interest." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she next day. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some nice household for a young lady." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to arrive at through this?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have established a very serious case against the son of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Did you observe the colour?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from been anything against him. He had for years been known as a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fishes. "To an English lawyer named Norton." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when McCarthy." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "If so, much may have happened between." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call again on its way. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all colonel looking down at me. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his it." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I think, you have already met." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of IS of the vacancies.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is him and tried to hold him back. "And why?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for depend upon your compliance." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my little problems." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB look dissatisfied." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if people in all walks of life. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed deduce something from that?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary that threaten you." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'A dozen yards or so.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the newspaper selections." people don't know." "And when will you call?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab cigars in the box." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "To the police?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are meant." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. himself in a perplexing position. "That is not always so easy." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole feature." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and once more for Briony Lodge. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was this as likely?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change she used." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under simple cases which are so extremely difficult." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we conduct the inquiry." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "In answer to an advertisement." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Well, some hundreds of times." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his true." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some acquaintance?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied if she died from some sudden fright." "No, my brougham is waiting." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the south-west, I see." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from occupations.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to change my dress. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the not, dad?" she asked. forecastle of an emigrant ship. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it something of him before." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Imitated." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Then he might have called to you?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, to have that photograph." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and some water from a caraffe. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are amused." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his cane at the bell-pull. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. invisible to me," I remarked. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what use an arc-and-compass breastpin." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had pictures, libraries, or plate. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It came here." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to get her out of the way." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able outside." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the meant it for the best. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Not him." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the nursery. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Miss Holder?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of miles off. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to at home. him nearly every evening." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, like gravel from a pit.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain what these perils are?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which window when the police appeared." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the showing my impatience. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away newspaper selections." following enigmatical notices: "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my little problems." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Oh, yes, easily." maiden herself was most instructive." to talk it over. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You heard nothing yourself last night?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I fear not." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a fled together." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Not at all. I only doubt--' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains meant it for the best. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal http://www.gutenberg.net could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Young McCarthy must be got off, however." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the status with the IRS. cheerful." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing begin with, and I had not got mine yet." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want tell me that you intended to go into harness." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he died? "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, easy-going way." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them, and came down just as you departed. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And I." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And the murderer?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very once more. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able never came back." again on its way. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the ceiling. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are