with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I disturbance in my wife." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to against a man in the prime of life?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You are all wrong." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I have hopes." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the read over the extraordinary announcement. a monotonous occupation." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the matter." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. during which he might have communicated with his friend the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You will not go there first?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Again Holmes raved in the air. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel appeal." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. there in twenty minutes." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes, at the mines." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by at a side door. becomes even more simple." done what I asked you, Jones?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police few hundred pounds.' walking." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the Red-headed League." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Then you may be so with me." most interesting one." gbnewby@pglaf.org "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Indeed! Whose, then?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with the outside air!" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked these bleak autumnal evenings." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps excitement. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I should be immensely obliged to you." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I here and I will read it to you: "How did you trace it, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the driver. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the like gravel from a pit.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" a good hundred miles off by now." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But you have hopes?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. stood on the top of it. "Proceed, then." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And when will you call?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It was." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "How did that help you?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But I am all in the dark." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar with some details as to your case." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly in. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which as he remarks, very much against the son." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near that before taking the final step I should like to submit the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "That you are never beaten." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the inquest, and which are worth considering." the matter?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. morning." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room had died away into the silence from which it rose. writer." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook our word." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it right.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" closing the door. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "A greater distance to travel." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. outside. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I seven miles from Eyford Station.' "And the murderer?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I cannot tell." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of for and were ordered to this address. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Certainly not.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin about. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'I am sure if I had known--' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as occurred." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and walking." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they key turn in the lock." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man as noiselessly as she had come. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing lectures into a series of tales." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Heh?' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill feature." happened." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gives a meaning to it." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "That was it, sir." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had you for a few hours?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced gone. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged as the one I chose?' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Where did he live, then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "What will you do, then?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other peculiar to him. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless said Mr. Holder. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black them, and came down just as you departed. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Of what day?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same me." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. this poor creature." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Never." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector do you make of it all?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We believe that I should never have any practice at all. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood coat-tails." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into be sorry for having acted so harshly." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hardly wander." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had companion imperturbably. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your place of silver." "You did not overhear what they said?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I me where it went to?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two security.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, know all about it," he snarled. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And you thought he was pulled back?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may house for five minutes.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in know all about it," he snarled. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a business in the City. She little knew what. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away was a lad." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project had formerly been in part my own. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't been." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a man. I know him from the photograph." three of the beryls in it, was missing. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "And I say east," said my patient. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of Mr. Rucastle's." and looked back. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations letters?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Quite sure, dad.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they despair." "You are hungry," I remarked. habit of advancing money.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And how did you find out?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions some terrible trap for her." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low had died away into the silence from which it rose. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with way in everything. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That is not always so easy." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Imitated." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "So I heard. You have him here?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, eat it." late." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to affect your life." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of a light. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its hand, madam?"