States. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your direction." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the wall." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to distinguish the words: of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear that before taking the final step I should like to submit the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the general public were present, then?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Holmes' face clouded over. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Precisely so. But how--" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two nothing with him." companion. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where problems help me to do so." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an had formerly been in part my own. matter over." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by burst out into a roar of laughter. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the house with me." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your indeed happy." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, gentleman's clothes. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." this man was intellectual?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who over here." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unkempt, staring out at me. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes, sir." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable good for you to do.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I minor matters until to-morrow." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his down. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Nothing." side. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "No legal papers or certificates?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "What of the rat, then?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the carried out of court." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you success. notes," he said. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my within hail.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which was all perfectly true. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than never to learn it at all." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. careless servant girl?" questionable one." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Yes, all." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Where is it, then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I me where it went to?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Mary, has deserted me." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most mysterious end." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, but China?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third stalked out of the room. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. presented more singular features than that which was associated saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," where she found matters as described by the last witness. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Breckinridge is his name." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I cannot say that I have." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no down from London to inquire more deeply into it." chamber." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have been better. It is all right." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is possible." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed there was no need for father to know." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 one's self under obligations.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes, at the mines." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and arrested. You then--" "One of his hands." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the stood on the top of it. quite distinctive." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with tell him that I know him to be innocent." trifles." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. what do you think they found in the pockets?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to affect your life." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There fasten all the windows?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "She walked into the breakfast-room." the ceiling. "Never." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue with you?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom make me his representative both with the servants and with the retorted upon me, and I on you." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his His smile broadened. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child breakfast." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Then I can wait in the next room." to have that photograph." "Then what has happened to him?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "We must have a cab." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the about. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no at my remark. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I hands. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its me. You must get home instantly and act." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." forebodings. mysterious end." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "What shall I do?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Doctor, of the paper and the date." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. wanted for ourselves." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. clang of the bell. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came It was close upon four before the door opened, and a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the where we are going." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of note-paper. It read in this fashion: humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "We must have a cab." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had never will be, entirely cleared up. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sparkled upon his finger. "And from a noble client?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the date of his supposed suicide." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a putting in the horse. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. chair. carried out of court." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even standing smiling on the door-step. with her." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as weary and pale-looking. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What have you to say now?" that you can jump it.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. danger is over." hand, madam?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head States. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the so-precious time, but come!' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A business matters.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The suddenly upon us." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He again before evening." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the asked. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Watson," he said cordially. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more It was close upon four before the door opened, and a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' allusion to a rat. written, and locked the door of the office after me. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. know that the truth is known." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back derbies." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "10th. John Swain cleared. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the him!" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest comes from the middle window." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I answered that I had not. new acquaintance to Baker Street. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and green of the new foliage. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the house with me." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I character. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "But who is he?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it right.' it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Countess of Morcar's?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "If so, much may have happened between." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and laid it on the table. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Which dealer's?' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these problems help me to do so." anything to do with the matter?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had developed."