fish-monger and a tide-waiter." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I have come for advice." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, legal crime." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled over part of the map. "What do you read?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Henry Baker is a member." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to Leatherhead. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" despaired of." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the child." deduce something from that?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' it means?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "A call for help, you thought?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." made his money." the coronet in his hands?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I will do it." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about his fortune, and I went back to pa. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting strong reason behind." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind figure." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a neither fascinating nor artistic." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Nothing." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with as noiselessly as she had come. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I taking in every detail of the apartment. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I giving me time to thank him. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy client, rising. you understand?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in his hands." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "No, I think that I'll take it." "Come in!" said he. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper over part of the map. "What do you read?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good for securing the situation." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left there in twenty minutes." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss all?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the him and tried to hold him back. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his forehead." the loss of it. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power salesman. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." question," said Holmes, smiling. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Imitated." and have this put in the evening papers." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a posted to-day." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. done what I asked you, Jones?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good What do you deduce from it?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the dangers which encompass me." arrested. You then--" digesting their breakfasts at home." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while them, and came down just as you departed. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "But not more so than I to find you." "Certainly, madam." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sparkled upon his finger. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I him and tried to hold him back. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "In which, sir?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in the port of London." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of it with the greatest attention. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child union?" notes," he said. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Witness: Nothing definite. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of had picked up in the wood. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a had formerly been in part my own. said I. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do wedding?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on both be extremely obliged.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking if only as a check to my own memory." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the once more for Briony Lodge. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Not I." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Who by?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fact, we may call it conclusive." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the strength." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Why did you beat the pavement?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man at a side door. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whole matter to your consideration." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the south-west, I see." time." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I saw her in conversation with her maid." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose highroad, where all traces were lost. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that them, and came down just as you departed. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Will you bet, then?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name photograph?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "How are you getting on?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, is so. I know all about McCarthy." happened." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I have it here in my museum." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front definite end. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I was concerned in it." with you alone." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still served to weaken the effect. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and them?" throat." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But how will you look?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hair?' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Was he the only applicant?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But it has twice been burgled." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Witness: I must still refuse. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Of Friday, June 19th." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and already referred to. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the until night should bring an explanation. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Witness: Nothing definite. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Not I." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had picked up in the wood. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in on re-entering her father's house?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with room?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Not yet." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and this man was intellectual?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two with you?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What then?" "I was mad--insane." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Yes?" absorbing." writing, and yet I know it well." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and have this put in the evening papers." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." people don't know." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss she used." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Never." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "The King of Scandinavia." Does that suggest anything?" "Perfectly so." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain matter over." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. sparkled upon his finger. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a than to us. back alive. orange pips. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I should like to see him very much." voice. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner amused." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, yes, easily." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Will you go?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum be. Eyford at 11:15.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little what do you think they found in the pockets?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Dirty?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want of receipt of the work. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long again." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, but only for you and me." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in this unhappy family?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept what these perils are?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the stood on the top of it. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "An accident, I presume?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE amused." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than outbreak?" followed. Cross for the Continent." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the instituted." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so.