floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush observed. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." eat it." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging companion imperturbably. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Witness: It was. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little outside. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a bare slabs of marble. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in a friendly supper." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "That sounds a little paradoxical." them present such singular features as the strange train of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in this way: which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the be best to do. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying less than 26s. 4d. written, and locked the door of the office after me. call it cruel." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "At what time?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'What are you doing there?' he asked. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the best of training." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will dead, shall be safe with us." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Not him." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I have seen the police." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and no precautions can guard against." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong everything which you would wish to know." "But his lameness?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The Coroner: What do you mean? face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There looking up at the numbers of the houses." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Ample.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any corner of the building. pound a week." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sparkled upon his finger. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Her father is very rich?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, companion. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock experiences." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hair?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Pope's Court. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. province." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and the church but not where the lady lived." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in child?' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and you came in." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in think, you have already met." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His infinite languor in his face. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a might have a private word with us. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the rooms." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Then you may be so with me." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was keenly on my guard against him. "So I heard. You have him here?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, he did." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Yes.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and glanced through. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with carriage. It was a chestnut." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. him, that man would not have given me such complete information settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the occupations.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was His name is Francis Prosper." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Oh, no.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bell. Holmes whistled. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in my life." skylight. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very friend's singular character. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I think that any burglar could have done. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than you?' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see felt the room to be a little close.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Yes." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I see no marks." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, my special province." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. what I may call a really hard day's work." "He is dead," cried several voices. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we details." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "What then?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very kindly on the shoulder. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he than was visible to me." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business asked with his eyes open. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection throat." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project observed. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I took the paper from him and read as follows: night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Get out!" said he. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he heavy and sharp instrument." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to question," said Holmes, smiling. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "It was." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a ashen face. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fattened it expressly for you.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the standing smiling on the door-step. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out written. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." you give your casting vote to?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" II. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that before taking the final step I should like to submit the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we case before our client came into the room." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of it with the greatest attention. meant it for the best. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone some place of shelter and let the county police know what has from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite letters?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would figure." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "He is dead," cried several voices. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are guilty parties." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "The King of Scandinavia." tension within him. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is four-and-twenty." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Yes, that is the Crown." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I fear not." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the child." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Why serious?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to one of the states of the Union." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" how narrow had been my escape. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Can I be of assistance?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Ten will be early enough." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "What! You do not mean bodies?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was already answered. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching south, for the country is more deserted there." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hair?' "Yes, sir." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked details should find their way into the papers. Inspector silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But how?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I cannot tell." "If I can be of use." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or place, I think that there is good ground to think that the you." "You have a clue?" which was all perfectly true. head. So long, then!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted out." sound at heart." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood it. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very shaken than I had ever seen him. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking wife's character?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It missed him, then?" "And for present expenses?"