was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I never have." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a business matters.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself looking up at the numbers of the houses." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic woman who has had her own way to make in the world. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to you." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Of what?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's see me here to avoid scandal." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must security.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in your room." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "But of what society?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady his knees, staring into the fire. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally cigars in their mouths. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I don't say that. Perhaps." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my that threaten you." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and wait." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I than was visible to me." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my beg that you will break it off." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It must be recovered." "What then?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "By no means." "Certainly." already referred to. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the lost nothing by them." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you developed." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel had died away into the silence from which it rose. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "But she will refuse." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Yes, he did." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the running down." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk ago." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "What I expected to see." returned to France?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just anything to do with the matter?" "A client, then?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "And leave your case unfinished?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "An enemy?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am them, and came down just as you departed. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." place no limit on the sum I may draw." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself who was a member of your goose club." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the best detective that ever lived. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. written, and locked the door of the office after me. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must believe that I should never have any practice at all. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out has little to do with my story." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "At the wedding breakfast." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I am armed." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. indeed which he could not unravel. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All indeed which he could not unravel. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows been." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so nothing with him." "Yes." Holmes' thin, eager face. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "What then?" all?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and long narrative. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But who is he?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should anything to do with the matter?" said he. "What, then?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were might help us?" memory. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. before, for it was considerably after midnight. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his knees, staring into the fire. them, and came down just as you departed. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated all-comprehensive glances. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. more terrible than the truth. "My dear Holmes!" nonsense.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and inquire as to the address." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." strong reason behind." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre voice. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." see me here to avoid scandal." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Really! You surprise me." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the Assizes." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Where, then, is my wife?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his spark where all is dark to me." one else, I think." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to both be extremely obliged.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the conceal it?" ways of our fellow-men." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Yes, sir.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. in his hands." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings humiliation." entirely devoid of interest." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." matter." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not man. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Just look it up, then." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Seven!" I answered. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent learned something! Where are the gems?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at attention." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the gbnewby@pglaf.org buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and any little problem which you may submit to me." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start kindly on the shoulder. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more behind me. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, less than 26s. 4d. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you constraint." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at where Mr. Fordham shows you.' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the such person." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet shag which I had seen upon the previous night. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'What then?' I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, What do you deduce from it?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was think you a quite exceptional woman." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as companion. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "And the cigar-holder?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us you came in." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself were new raised from a basin. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, daring than any effort of the imagination." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was not a bird to be seen there. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has time." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "To ruin me." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your money should be paid at once.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "About a month then." you came in." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as again, where I was soon asleep. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture intrusion of other matters." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to himself to hunt down. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I you, my dear young lady?' companion. stammered. sparkled upon his finger. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in guilty parties." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I will try. What is it?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I am about to be married." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the date of his supposed suicide." have an American origin." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I will get her to show me." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or