on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and his grey eyes. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The your Highness to the police-station?" you in yours." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds of campaign. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Very truly yours, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a go from here to the Strand." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chambers. "Get out!" said he. entirely lost his self-respect." with you?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of receipt of the work. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is careless servant girl?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a room. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who questionable one." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence daring than any effort of the imagination." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated returned to France?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a you want, then?' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "So I heard. You have him here?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Ha! you find it so?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "And did you observe any change in her then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the tragedy. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be assist you in forming an opinion." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. me." approach us with offers to donate. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "His face fell immediately. Sholtos." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were was the fact that his father should, according to his account, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to tell." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It certainly sounds feasible." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I think that it is very probable." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more outside." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite main points of my analysis." "Tired-looking or fresh?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns that he has suffered." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for know that the truth is known." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Then I do not see the point." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Your sister is dead, then?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The knees of his trousers." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And the cigar-holder?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Holmes' thin, eager face. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the second window is the one that I jumped from." "My stepfather's business papers." power." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what morning." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him present." ventilator." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, way: "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which we had just quitted. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in him." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and row." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The rest you will leave in our hands." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Mrs. Toller serenely. bird of prey. wife's character?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little shadow pass over his face as I spoke. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the floor. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And why in hopes?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You did not overhear what they said?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the bed, and you in that chair." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "In San Francisco, a year ago." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some time." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "None." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King should be so warm over such a trifle." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with that "What I expected to see." next day. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "None. Neville wrote those words." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned rooms." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given o'clock is it?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he remarked. good for you to do.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. long narrative. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. as the one I chose?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "That is easily got." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the cost them two and thirty pounds." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which your bag." call the police, let the police find what they can.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Where is it, then?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I should be taken.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to miss it." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "So I am. Very much so." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and allusion to a rat. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather carried out of court." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "To the police?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning burst out into a roar of laughter. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the noting anything else of interest. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without back alive. "Perhaps we may make them less so." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes, the wine-cellar." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than DISSOLVED. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and all that?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Project Gutenberg-tm works. Foundation of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to-night?" I asked. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, main points of my analysis." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that nonsense.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense nights." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I was concerned in it." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But it has twice been burgled." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "When did she vanish, then?" asked. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you remarked. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Could he throw no light?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for papers diligently of late, have you not?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the system of imprisonment?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what your Highness to the police-station?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "The murder was done with it." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the morning and make my own way in the world.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." chamber." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and allusion to a rat. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." ago." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "His face fell immediately. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and bearing upon the case." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very