"Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "You don't mind breaking the law?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the where she found matters as described by the last witness. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between States. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other his forehead." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It missed him, then?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the trying to your nerves." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Entirely.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I will not look." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the driver. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" said I. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is south, for the country is more deserted there." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the death." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to definite end. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of with you?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and the church but not where the lady lived." "Never." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon your most interesting statement." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect His name is Francis Prosper." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then I am your man." entirely lost his self-respect." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his a little more before I quite committed myself. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And why?" been shamefully used." "Absolutely none." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and the colonel ushered me in. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Seven!" I answered. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can against a man in the prime of life?" words came to my lips. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by said I. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Yes." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling a suggestive one." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. know what is wrong with it.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Surrey." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and memory. address. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day strength." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rooms." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, I had a dozen." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, populous neighbourhood." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, the cause is excellent!" leaning back in his chair. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is are, I think, all that we need." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the matter." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I will get her to show me." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' just ask you whether you had heard it.' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Holmes' room. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past bird I ate is country bred." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But of what society?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My last client of the sort was a king." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And what then?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Not in the least." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Then the page we have seen--" himself. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And your mother is alive?" "Yes, that is the Crown." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side face and glided from the room. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Pray do so." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" for its centre. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to go into your room and bar your shutters?" been deceived." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to-morrow." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You have carte blanche." was a lad." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As will take you up to see the machine.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sofa. This way, please!" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue everything which you would wish to know." he. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Yes." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Surrey." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Oh, no.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which we had just quitted. "I am sure." way: and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I shall be delighted." an introduction to him?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I cannot think." "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his all-comprehensive glances. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were have had none more fantastic than this." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Yes." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in side. "You will not go there first?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right locked." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we must be when I saw the door open.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "He said that you could solve anything." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." might have a private word with us. chemical work which was so dear to him. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the brain must have something in it." "Very murderous indeed." least a fellow-countryman. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes, sir." "You did not overhear what they said?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I am sure." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try politicians who had been sent down from the North. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and said he. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your During two years I have had three consultations and one small fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at lips." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It is very clear." train.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban rooms." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I will get her to show me." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be enough to aid us in our search." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fishes. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You saw the ventilator, too?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You saw the ventilator, too?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lectures into a series of tales." to change my dress. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Never.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through which it had come upon my father." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "No." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked note?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You have a clue?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, him!" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I guessed as much." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes, I have one waiting." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Entirely." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and floor. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it for securing the situation." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose photograph a cabinet?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it are windows in it, of course?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and