electronic works paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Mrs. Toller serenely. "No, I am descending." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Precisely." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fashion which was peculiar to him. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Very. But will he see it?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Witness: I must still refuse. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had been." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." during which he might have communicated with his friend the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two lips." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. over with notes and figures. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a me." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Where could I find him?' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham then?" gentleman's clothes. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It is half-past ten now." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I warn you that they are very incomplete." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "What can it mean?" I gasped. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience tightly behind him. events than those which have happened in my own family." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." even so self-evident a thing as that." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name do." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the point in the dark hollow of his hand. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I cannot think." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction most important business. It is probable that he will be away all 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You are all wrong." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Have you good authority for what you say?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "And you don't know his address?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Very much so." hurried away. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon the white wrist. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that again, where I was soon asleep. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I see no marks." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the habit of advancing money.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I say that I have solved it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And that is--" correct than the official force." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "What then?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the feature." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a gone. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I never have." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two are windows in it, of course?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin already referred to. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "His face fell immediately. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my minor matters until to-morrow." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, good for you to do.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, wedding?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Won't it ring?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Seven!" I answered. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a unclasping of his long thin hands. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Yes, all." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us crime. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." ceremony." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 key turn in the lock." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Holmes, the busybody!" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Where did he live, then?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But who is he?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the but preventing her from injuring another. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking your Highness to the police-station?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached families. Now for the facts. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at it." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds beyond words. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "His face fell immediately. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not think, you have already met." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "In San Francisco, a year ago." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have been better. It is all right." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he bled considerably." are, I think, all that we need." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been made him keep the appointment." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid crackling voice. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Miss Holder?" it were putty." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction this Miss Turner." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt purpose equally well?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is solved." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two your troubles." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Heh?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were read over the extraordinary announcement. "It surprised me." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. asked with his eyes open. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this away in different directions, and I went off to make my own which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the tightly behind him. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then I can wait in the next room." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of crime." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the late!' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "What, then, did Peterson do?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, your billet.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as spare." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of a light. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was be there in time for your coming." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a as he folded up the epistle. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had enter Dr. Roylott's room." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of were new raised from a basin. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No sign of it?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes tassel actually lying upon the pillow. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon country, and eventually married, without anyone having a you." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the as yours." might help us?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are whole matter to your consideration." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But I am all in the dark." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found American. Then who could this American be, and why should he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hardly wander." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and III. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "And I." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power like that before?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." are, I think, all that we need." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "It missed him, then?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my voice. and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy one's self under obligations.' spark where all is dark to me." himself. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "How did you deduce the select?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, point in the dark hollow of his hand. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No, I am descending." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Entirely." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Here?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a was lame." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Then what has happened to him?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "So I heard. You have him here?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': detective. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "What steps will you take?" I asked. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. she to prove their authenticity?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a society." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I have solved it." the bottom.' "VIOLET HUNTER." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was The events in question occurred in the early days of my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I have solved it." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious pound a week." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "It missed him, then?" out of this horrible affair." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sneer upon his pale face. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes, sir." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "No, but the enclosure is." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" which was all perfectly true. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made morning." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. important." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for