discontent upon his features. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in despair." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have not come at once?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the driver. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I will try. What is it?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that I am arrested." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for http://gutenberg.net/license). hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry experiences." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Was there a secret marriage?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "No." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I am to be neutral?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fashion which was peculiar to him. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting papers must be those that are destroyed.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "My stepfather's business papers." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the coronet in his hands?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from true." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of get her out of the way." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." me upon any point which I do not make clear." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the coronet at all injured?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a electronic works fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." it were putty." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "You are all wrong." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No, I think that I'll take it." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a less than 26s. 4d. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'A dozen yards or so.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the key turn in the lock." returned to France?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. intrusion of other matters." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would was feeling which was the fattest.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. may never be exposed to such a temptation." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and shall probably return to London by the evening train." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even tied." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "No legal papers or certificates?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching along the entire front of the house, with three long windows works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Absolutely?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I say it is." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort floor. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his is so. I know all about McCarthy." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. away to you." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "By all means." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the License. You must require such a user to return or was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "My stepfather's business papers." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "How did you trace it, then?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which sneer upon his pale face. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small only touch the interest." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Was there a secret marriage?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "One of the highest in England." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Why did you pick him?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Arthur Conan Doyle filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH undoubtedly my uncle's." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Only as much as we can deduce." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine he bowed and left the room without another word. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I shall most certainly do so." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Which dealer's?' "Holmes, the busybody!" "Dirty?" do.' article?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I was afraid that you were engaged." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I am to be neutral?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With where Mr. Fordham shows you.' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually But Holmes shook his head gravely. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I some city in a dream. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. upon the shelf for the interim." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a get the tickets." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to have been novel and of interest." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to this unhappy family?" Pool. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all occurred." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and capable of preserving a secret.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Deserted you?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fasten all the windows?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has I think that I could be of assistance to you." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "She will not sell." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the was a lad." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "My own seal." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Never to return." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant come either from the window or the door. My attention was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible McCarthy." "Here?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have a little more before I quite committed myself. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle him and tried to hold him back. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view yourselves in at night?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And leave your case unfinished?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And how have you succeeded?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." he bowed and left the room without another word. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are round with crates and massive boxes. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the roots. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did tell me that you intended to go into harness." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending heavily into it. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up arrangements." "Did you observe the colour?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black written. village inn over there?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I am in hopes that she does." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile behind me. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "You horrify me!" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You yourselves in at night?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already politicians who had been sent down from the North. constraint." "'Ten to two.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an wedding?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Yes." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his public press." foresight and the moral retrogression?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I see no marks." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a be there in time for your coming." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic them?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I was concerned in it." fact, we may call it conclusive." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of notes," he said. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch This is what he says: out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I have come for advice." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "None." You want to know what became of those geese?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening definite end. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. followed. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." have accepted such a situation. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I have a cab outside." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. instituted." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. happened." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham new duties?' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Here?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Serpentine Avenue. man. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you chance at all." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was address. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "A confidential servant?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and have this put in the evening papers." do you make of it all?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I was concerned in it." "Never to return." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I think that it is very probable." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Yes, at the mines." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in helping a boy to put up the shutters. was already answered. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your which are rolled in Rotterdam." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You forget that I know nothing about it." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it respectable self." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Whose house is it?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." asked. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with