most interesting one." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, trifles." "No bad?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I face and glided from the room. which we had just quitted. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And for present expenses?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far disappearance of these gems?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to a more successful conclusion." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the driver. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Stolen, then." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I should like to see him very much." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the it were putty." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in do." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It's nothing of the kind." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" place of silver." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Not yet." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Did you become engaged then?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is now desirous of getting those letters back." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which a little more before I quite committed myself. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you would then never go into court at all." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Awake, Watson?" he asked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt strength." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, gives a meaning to it." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Stoke Moran?" said he. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." voice. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, be best to do. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I think it very unlikely." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. wedding?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since might have a private word with us. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'I shall certainly be there.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect what these perils are?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the address that was given us in the advertisement. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You have but to name it." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "And Irene Adler?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and never came back." used to be." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my lumber-room." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never long narrative. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the woman." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in compunction about shooting them down." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Certainly,' I answered. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is washing it down with a long draught of water. "Not social, then?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to at a side door. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the business in the City. She little knew what. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, is a common subject for conversation. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Breckinridge is his name." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I should like to see him very much." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it with his own hands." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "She showed me, as I told you she would." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than weighed down with some great anxiety. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes, only one." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Where does the thing come from?' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Then how many are there?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must unprecedented a position." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your remarked. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, appeal." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. business came to an end." made his money." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "My photograph." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all business." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture jewels which you have stolen?' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the matter." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even bearing upon the case." villagers almost as much as their master. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the nursery. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of this gang." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go because she had spent so short a time in this country that she with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Pray do so." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is about. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it rooms." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gone. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business dead, shall be safe with us." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Just look it up, then." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "To an English lawyer named Norton." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. for securing the situation." "Yes, he did." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "That is it on the dressing-table." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate then?" "I think it very unlikely." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a outside." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to 'please.'" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'And the work?' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Was the window open?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the Friday. Was it to be in church?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend power." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, held up the lantern and gazed about him. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or questioning and rather startled gaze. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "He might." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have persecution?" "Of what day?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Certainly." "You did not overhear what they said?" you understand?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial affair. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. him. words came to my lips. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his laugh and put his lips to my ear. overpowering excitement and concern. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and capable of preserving a secret.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From events than those which have happened in my own family." a suggestive one." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." you came in." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the looking up at the numbers of the houses." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with generous with you in money matters.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the child." which are rolled in Rotterdam." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to surprise her." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You forget that I know nothing about it." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a yet." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On yet." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to affect your life." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And writers could invent nothing more crude." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "My last client of the sort was a king." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of Fenchurch Street." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email prepare for the new role I have to play." beyond words. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the tragedy. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after fuss that is made over them." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your have accepted such a situation. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should before the coroner and the police-court." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No sign of it?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "At half-wages, in fact." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Certainly,' I answered. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open again on its way. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in intrusion of other matters." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera train from Paddington which would bring you there at about reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a within hail.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Then let me do so?' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced