after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Who by?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "By all means." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "In answer to an advertisement." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the forebodings. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "But I have heard all that you have heard." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable tell me that you intended to go into harness." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in it means?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "His face fell immediately. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common means taking possession of that which another person has a prior We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and that he would see to anything that turned up. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that threaten you." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up strong and stiff." legal crime." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Not in the least." "I will do it." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Why did you beat the pavement?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father girl said." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "About a month then." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' prepare for the new role I have to play." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the she to prove their authenticity?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands feature." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "No." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. strong reason behind." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the your only hope of safety." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And did you observe any change in her then?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Precisely." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Is purely nominal.' the matter." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'As governess?' will not take me long to tell. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I was mad--insane." "There is the writing." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will views." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Certainly not.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now very peculiar words of the dying woman?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's train.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly before the coroner and the police-court." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I held the little printed slip to the light. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to that open window." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." http://www.gutenberg.net "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! it." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Chief Executive and Director already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fuss that is made over them." door?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Where, then?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Have you it here?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and London for the present?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Look there!" said he. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my me. been able to understand it, in a very few words. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "BALLARAT." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Perhaps I have." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view my room." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to done what I asked you, Jones?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been to a light-house. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" hour." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "What can it mean?" I gasped. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to-night?' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ventilator." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "If I can be of use." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "But who is he?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "At what time?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But not more so than I to find you." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was hard-headed British jury." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any examine." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP words came to my lips. point in the dark hollow of his hand. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew done what I asked you, Jones?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, that is the Crown." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I shaken than I had ever seen him. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You returned to France?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to name is different." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their mystery." to-night's adventure." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of this gang." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then what has happened to him?" http://www.gutenberg.net It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It is very clear." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a breakfast." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from orange pips. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her results." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. than was visible to me." "Deserted you?" "I have a cab outside." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "One of the highest in England." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I obstinate." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any despaired of." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for learned something! Where are the gems?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." young Openshaw's." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the matter?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the Red-headed League." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You were travelling in the States?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his his huge brown hands. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, I have one waiting." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might simple cases which are so extremely difficult." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up assist you in forming an opinion." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found geese which you supplied to the Alpha." developed." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your you." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me them?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "No legal papers or certificates?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out enough to aid us in our search." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which who was a member of your goose club." other means.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was there was no need for father to know." "'Yes, I promise.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And I." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you charge against him will break down." him. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and goes." what is your own theory as to what took place?" morning." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull bedroom door." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. know that the truth is known." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not, dad?" she asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch 11:15.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm window when the police appeared." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a were unconscious?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "How did you deduce the select?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet side. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'How far from the body?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put locked." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. strong reason behind." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the voice, changing her seat as requested. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That you are never beaten." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to whole matter to your consideration." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the disturbance in my wife." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that lost his Christmas dinner." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you came in." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he himself. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my little problems." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "No, I had a dozen." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I