Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Stoke Moran." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever dead, shall be safe with us." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded way in." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." purpose equally well?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest noting anything else of interest. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy never to learn it at all." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And what then?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "An accident, I presume?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "A greater distance to travel." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You have compromised yourself seriously." nice household for a young lady." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you business?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from the brougham. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "How did that help you?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly said I. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the address that was given us in the advertisement. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss experiences." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and nonsense.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently dear old homesteads?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is straightened it out again. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I cannot imagine." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent whatever might befall. business?" "Really! You surprise me." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes. He waved his hands." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'What then?' I asked. "No, distinctly professional." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Never." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' maiden herself was most instructive." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of room?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose were wasted." "Then he might have called to you?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend done what I asked you, Jones?" all that?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Witness: I must still refuse. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and certainly do as you advise." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly unkempt, staring out at me. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able happened." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy morning." "What?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. During two years I have had three consultations and one small pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Precisely so. But how--" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard examination of the premises, but without finding anything which however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, your bag." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as cigars in their mouths. interests were the same as his." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or into the bag, and made for the door. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to miss it." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Why? What do you mean?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the galvanised. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "An accident, I presume?" might help us?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that?' "And who is her maid?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can he died? down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "9th. McCauley cleared. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is true that I have been generally successful." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Which dealer's?' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the certainly not very gracious." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "How often?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the coronet in his hand?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, as he folded up the epistle. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see arrangements." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without tell them apart.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a brandy and water within his reach. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my room." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. for its centre. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming footfalls from the street. "'Stolen!' he cried. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, voice, changing her seat as requested. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Nothing." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to-morrow." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows was once confined in the cab my mission was practically insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Have you it here?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious could not have written that. It is the German who is so they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Thank you. Pray proceed." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It is his hat." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Farm upon the left." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was late." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This there were so many in the whole country as were brought together earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that I may have something better before very many minutes are immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and ago." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Lee, in the county of Kent." recover the gem." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer joking. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that might have a private word with us. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP maiden herself was most instructive." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Her father is very rich?" instincts rose up against that laugh. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. roused himself from his reverie. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It was a confession," I ejaculated. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one's self under obligations.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and all of them with the keenest interest. "I will not look." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I should wish to." cost them two and thirty pounds." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "She told me to ask you." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to get her out of the way." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom money should be paid at once.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "At the wedding breakfast." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a monotonous occupation." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "They are typewritten," I remarked. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "And you can do nothing until then?" "'I shall certainly be there.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave skylight. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set my secret was safe in his possession. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned away to you." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I outsides of the windows. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the one as in the other." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stalked out of the room. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or go back?" little adventures." "I will not look." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "No legal papers or certificates?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes. He waved his hands." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in your London, you will know that the office of the company is My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole miles off. "Texas, I think." the one as in the other." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fled together." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found room. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" conceal it?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and License. You must require such a user to return or Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Ample.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hands. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." side. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon