we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "No legal papers or certificates?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell villagers almost as much as their master. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yesterday." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," business?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as tapping his fingers upon the table. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The Cedars?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you is a common subject for conversation. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the your bag." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without troubles have been weighing upon his mind. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You horrify me." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in this way: two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Yes, all." for securing the situation." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I present." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." colour had been driven from his face. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to new acquaintance to Baker Street. to-night's adventure." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "He said that you could solve anything." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a reach." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to persecution?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It crime. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon cigars in the box." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. not as remarkable as your advertisement." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "My last client of the sort was a king." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole companion. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "And when will you call?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" clang of the bell. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her brandy and water within his reach. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you give your casting vote to?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in were new raised from a basin. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" distinguish the words: instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "What?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away so.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do prison!" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Sholtos." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into forehead. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them thirty. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I For additional contact information: know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite someone who had been in Australia." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was ourselves in the office." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I say that I have solved it." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid on re-entering her father's house?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and written, and locked the door of the office after me. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I cannot imagine." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the best of training." indeed happy." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes. He waved his hands." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what questioning and rather startled gaze. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "In which, sir?" to surprise her." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the than was visible to me." http://gutenberg.net/license). 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, main points of my analysis." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little went to the Alpha were town bred." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there young Openshaw's." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And your father? Did you tell him?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he one else, I think." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And why?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his arrangements." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he morning." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it happened." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs woven round him. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we be there in time for your coming." it." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was used.' showing my impatience. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had invisible to me," I remarked. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The returned to France?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his forehead. in this way: "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to take care of herself." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to said he. "The murder was done with it." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure danger is over." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read obstinate." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Certainly." "When did it break out?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." events, Mr. Windibank!" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to infinite languor in his face. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fishes. "I see no marks." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully maiden herself was most instructive." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let along the entire front of the house, with three long windows already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The gbnewby@pglaf.org business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the coronet in his hands?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The examine." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left derbies." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. copied or distributed: And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and I shall be with you presently." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'What, the red-headed man?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that you can jump it.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the inquest, and which are worth considering." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" washing it down with a long draught of water. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I cannot tell." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I certainly do as you advise." "And for present expenses?" "Look there!" said he. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "You think that he is dead?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I took the paper from him and read as follows: statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the straightened it out again. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder second window is the one that I jumped from." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his huge brown hands. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The decline of his fortunes, then?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the key turn in the lock." "Then what has happened to him?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have as this. Pray let me have the details." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I leave." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable if she died from some sudden fright." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." populous neighbourhood." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I comes from the middle window." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bell. Holmes whistled. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and I shall be with you presently." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help would then never go into court at all." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Just look it up, then." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Pope's Court. next day. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." this as likely?" your Highness to the police-station?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Chief Executive and Director do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness this remarkable episode. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cigar and let me expound." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case cost them two and thirty pounds." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The photograph a cabinet?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The rest you will leave in our hands." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to a light-house. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards asked with his eyes open. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Yes, only one." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very together. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any have not had my rubber." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" matters immensely." remarked. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have at my remark. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "You will not go there first?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Of Friday, June 19th." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She six. Come in!" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. vault. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to surprise her." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry train.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about