with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "You horrify me!" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." breakfast." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "What have you to say now?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a this Miss Turner." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I guessed as much." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, charge against him will break down." the night.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "No legal papers or certificates?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: been shamefully used." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Certainly." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's particular state visit http://pglaf.org in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that made him keep the appointment." fait accompli?" telegram would bring me down to your help." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "My Mary? Impossible!" 11:15.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she some city in a dream. I held the little printed slip to the light. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I am armed." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth This is what he says: fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the coronet in his hands?" from you?" cigars in the box." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after crime. people don't know." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and a shock of very red hair. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Henry Baker is a member." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very me upon any point which I do not make clear." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and put his glass in his pocket. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make The summons was a brief and urgent one. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be quickly through a disagreeable task. long narrative. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to go into your room and bar your shutters?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "What then?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "What will you do, then?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the matter?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my one which it was hard to resist. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Stoke Moran." breakfast." open." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock photograph a cabinet?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and effective." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It missed him, then?" "I cannot imagine." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You forget that I know nothing about it." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a there is a decided draught." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good highly," said Holmes. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. murdered man." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "They are typewritten," I remarked. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then he might have called to you?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fear." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to arrive at through this?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me all-comprehensive glances. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be get her out of the way." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these conversation I have gathered that they have been married about He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a question," said Holmes, smiling. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Count Von Kramm." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little anything to a woman, for she would have her way." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled delirious. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to miss it." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself light and attacked it." certainly do as you advise." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, page at http://pglaf.org "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Will you go?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. good for you to do.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I think that I had better go, Holmes." indiscretion." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how have been better. It is all right." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But how?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to plantation.' be.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Won't it ring?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes. He waved his hands." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one of them." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It is possible." comes from the middle window." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. intrusion of other matters." "It is possible." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." money should be paid at once.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Eyford at 11:15.' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Why, what do you mean?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "To ruin me." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Then you may entirely rely on me." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. unprofitable." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" me. You must get home instantly and act." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner detained." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our our word." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and village inn over there?" best detective that ever lived. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given pity, because in other respects you would really have done very closely." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Have you it here?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cigars in the box." and effective." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'Is purely nominal.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "My own seal." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thirty. our word." "It is very kind of you." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his without a word or a look. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting money should be paid at once.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical allusion to a rat. on in his house." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson had formerly been in part my own. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. were unconscious?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I was concerned in it." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "So I am. Very much so." chill to my heart. of them has the shutters up.' that threaten you." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Were they all fastened this morning?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man McCarthy's innocence. "'Oh, no.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I was concerned in it." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." ceremony." if I call to-morrow?" it right.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The doctor?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And you don't know his address?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. already been minutely examined." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, but China?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear least a most suspicious remark." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Ten to two.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. delighted to hear it," he said. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the coroner come to?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You horrify me!" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And Irene Adler?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated congenial hunt. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." there has been an enclosure here!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this money should be paid at once.' chance at all." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "So I have heard." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that detained." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Dark enough and sinister enough." "That also I could fathom." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the driver. appeared upon the scene." voice, changing her seat as requested. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw kind enough to tell me what I should do." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now British peeress.'" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "In what way?" asked Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such closely." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to talk it over. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing