good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, served to weaken the effect. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one You can understand that this register and diary may implicate heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold is worth.' "Yes, he did." "'Ample.' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Imitated." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers get the tickets." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I say that I have solved it." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon throat." danger is over." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No good news?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Never." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the Red-headed League." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "And what did you learn from him?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he delighted to hear it," he said. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, I think that I'll take it." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Yes." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. said he at last. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'What then?' I asked. delighted to hear it," he said. "But we can't all be." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass him, that man would not have given me such complete information "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. unprecedented a position." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "That is not always so easy." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter been with you?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "What is it?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not gigantic client. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given wanted for ourselves." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily some terrible trap for her." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. hurried away. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the salesman. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which your Highness to the police-station?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. papers on the sundial.'" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "It is true that I have been generally successful." I have it here in my museum." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then tear off another piece?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. depend upon your compliance." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" yards of it?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove our word." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "There is the writing." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man me what he had done with the three missing stones. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as congratulate you again." despaired of." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Here?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and a shock of very red hair. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled drove away. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the questionable one." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money than to us. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was was not a bird to be seen there. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with papers on the sundial.'" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "In which, sir?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "That is it on the dressing-table." "It looks newer than the other things?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low his wife has ceased to love him." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar nothing of it?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save photograph?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet returned to France?" it means?" morning." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as tied." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "He said too much." made him keep the appointment." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. again on its way. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Witness: I must still refuse. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his your co-operation." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the rose-bushes. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through where Mr. Fordham shows you.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Murdered?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, o'clock is it?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or formed some opinion?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "My opinion is in no way altered." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic this man was intellectual?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You or other trace. But how on earth--" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to-night?" I asked. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "By train from Waterloo." key of the affair now." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." persecution?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that it." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'And the work?' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The King of Scandinavia." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Stolen!' he cried. three of the beryls in it, was missing. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I cannot imagine." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay is now desirous of getting those letters back." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was events than those which have happened in my own family." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a fasten all the windows?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves foot. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any narrative." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which we had just quitted. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "We must have a cab." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a may have an influence upon European history." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Where does the thing come from?' I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But you can know nothing of this?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his cane at the bell-pull. me what he had done with the three missing stones. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a few minutes he said that it would be all right. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But it has twice been burgled." "The gentleman I describe." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "What office?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than posted to-day." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We train.' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." girl said." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had where she found matters as described by the last witness. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. not as remarkable as your advertisement." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Yes?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "We were both in the photograph." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, business matters.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I shall be delighted." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Where to?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it quickly through a disagreeable task. him. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than might have a private word with us. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all miles off. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened have accepted such a situation. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Did you become engaged then?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Do you know him?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and looked back. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." touch that coronet?' "I beg pardon." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No sign of it?" "Ample." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the mystery." once more. see a sister of mine apply for." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's this remarkable episode. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked disturbance in my wife." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press child?' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I cannot imagine." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon this as likely?" for its centre. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Ah!" not personally threatened." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man she has been waylaid. There has been no result." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Why? What do you mean?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some matters immensely." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' felt the room to be a little close.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was the fact that his father should, according to his account, retorted upon me, and I on you." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when unprecedented a position." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she careless servant girl?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few standing smiling on the door-step. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'What do you call purely nominal?' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to-night's adventure." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow house for five minutes.' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The vanishing of the lady." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Do you know him?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and