been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Tired-looking or fresh?" telegram would bring me down to your help." annoyance, but no jest. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions neither fascinating nor artistic." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And when will you call?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her which we had just quitted. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." head. So long, then!" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "He said too much." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how know what is wrong with it.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch you?' chill to my heart. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And the murderer?" "My dear Holmes!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "On the contrary, this is the right side." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to arrive at through this?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the your billet.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been signal between you and your father? "My opinion is in no way altered." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and the whole place is in a blaze." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm You want to know what became of those geese?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" late!' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was perplexity from it to my illustrious client. papers on the sundial.'" "They are typewritten," I remarked. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the house with me." said Mr. Holder. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Then let me do so?' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in yourselves in at night?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "But what will you do?" behind me. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the than to us. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." one of them." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled people don't know." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you through." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the you understand?" respectable self." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That have one." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a key of the affair now." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a woman." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and formed some opinion?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bearing upon the case." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you ordinary clothes on?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to his chemical studies. where she found matters as described by the last witness. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "They are typewritten," I remarked. it. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. row." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to my friend's incisive reasoning. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "In the cells." "You think so, too?" "VIOLET HUNTER." himself to hunt down. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Thank you. Pray proceed." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Your presence might be invaluable." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he if I call to-morrow?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." easy-going way." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had at a side door. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Absolutely none." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. returned to France?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' rose-bushes. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "What do you make of that, Watson?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been to-morrow." third from London." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. had picked up in the wood. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lips." "Then I can wait in the next room." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hardly wander." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Countess of Morcar's?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this my former friend and companion. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried unprecedented a position." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "My private note-paper." hereditary King of Bohemia." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the business matters.' without a word or a look. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a that there was nothing in it, after all." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "And leave your case unfinished?" friend's singular character. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look crowd. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Holmes' face clouded over. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis must be when I saw the door open.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And help." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Then the page we have seen--" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. delirious. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set not, dad?" she asked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I shall be delighted." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Pray do so." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Witness: It was. secret." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the warnings." "My photograph." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open out." married her." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Stolen." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just with you alone." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and train.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a populous neighbourhood." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from chemical work which was so dear to him. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." matter over." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are just called myself is not exactly my own." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. her also." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had formed some opinion?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "No, distinctly professional." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual likely to be some crony of the landlady's." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Well, but China?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the little opening for the ventilator is." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last again." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual house for five minutes.' business." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned held up the lantern and gazed about him. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But how?" telegram would bring me down to your help." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he hour." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my room had already been engaged for us. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to into the bag, and made for the door. "Where did you address your letters, then?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, It may be so in this case, also." "Was she in good spirits?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, row." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "My own seal." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. gives a meaning to it." prison!" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and so far?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between quickly through a disagreeable task. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he are, I think, all that we need." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate must compliment you." guilty parties." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "In heaven's name, what for?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that there!' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "But of what society?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Why, what do you mean?" that threaten you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father companion quietly. not fit the lock." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Which dealer's?' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to remarked. outside. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, in darkness. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "How did you deduce the select?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which are rolled in Rotterdam." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. foresight and the moral retrogression?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of Mr. Rucastle's." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has ways of our fellow-men." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a derbies." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the generous with you in money matters.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the closely." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she touch that coronet?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the