The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at forbidden door. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Sutherland?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for colonel looking down at me. "Where, then, is my wife?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "In which, sir?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of entirely lost his self-respect." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can face and glided from the room. cheerful." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "She will not sell." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in the hope of finding them." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to did not hear it also.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "If so, much may have happened between." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few felt?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sneer upon his pale face. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to like gravel from a pit.' drove away. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. thought that she would have been so carried away." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It is a murder, then?" extraordinary contortions. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am take the flies, but not before." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it good for you to do.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And the cigar-holder?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Always." constraint." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes quite distinctive." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "That is easily got." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as memory. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, fled together." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "It must be recovered." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of served to weaken the effect. "'Certainly,' I answered. Henry Baker is a member." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fear." companion. little adventures." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty investigation." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was business matters.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and acted in my house last night?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay them?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Did you observe the colour?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with questioning and rather startled gaze. clang of the bell. in this way: placed his cuttings. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I came to find a friend." "In heaven's name, what for?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And from a noble client?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It certainly sounds feasible." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sholtos." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And what did you learn from him?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and files of the old papers, following the future career of every anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the lamp. anything to do with the matter?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Why did you pick him?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And I." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that, and I came down." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was feeling which was the fattest.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed if I call to-morrow?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Holmes, the busybody!" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I will try. What is it?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I think it very unlikely." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for you do it in twenty minutes!' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark come either from the window or the door. My attention was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the suddenly upon us." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "By all means." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'In my own bureau.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a even so self-evident a thing as that." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent mysterious end." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will you do it in twenty minutes!' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the window, rose as we entered. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and the colonel ushered me in. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work long narrative. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "We were both in the photograph." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for that I can to serve you." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which matter over." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I shall communicate with you." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features way in everything. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hereditary King of Bohemia." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the than was visible to me." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather his face which made him a very different person to the round, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I have seen the police." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I third from London." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the room while you explain this matter?" matter." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. congenial hunt. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then is a common subject for conversation. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows orange pips. "That also I could fathom." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who James Windibank. Voilà tout!" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will late." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Where to?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding with some details as to your case." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He any little problem which you may submit to me." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot enter Dr. Roylott's room." tell him that I know him to be innocent." at a side door. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your hair?' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Can I be of assistance?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I approached. "'Certainly not.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "BALLARAT." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have one." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent then?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "We have tried and failed." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several as the one I chose?' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' crowd. "'Yes, sir.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Precisely so. But how--" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It is true that I have been generally successful." so.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Yes, I promise.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want closely." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I nodded again. nice household for a young lady." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by had no one to advise her at such a crisis." made him keep the appointment." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Quite so." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. problems help me to do so." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a rat could hardly pass through." "And why in hopes?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "He disappeared so suddenly." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I will do it." "No, finished." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a little more before I quite committed myself. pictures, libraries, or plate. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "You horrify me!" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And you don't know his address?" to Leatherhead. "Where, then?" against a man in the prime of life?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose During two years I have had three consultations and one small whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in official police." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "At half-wages, in fact." "It missed him, then?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His later, upon the night of May 2nd." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. some terrible trap for her." Henry Baker is a member." about. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the coroner come to?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a future lives." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many