to go into your room and bar your shutters?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those papers on the sundial.'" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a noting anything else of interest. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten outside. "My dear Holmes!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." weapon." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the conceal it?" "What then?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' done what I asked you, Jones?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the inquest, and which are worth considering." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and from the brougham. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker sparkled upon his finger. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy 1.F. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things think that any burglar could have done. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I weighed down with some great anxiety. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in his hands." straightened it out again. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in events than those which have happened in my own family." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my hereditary King of Bohemia." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of campaign. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Married! When?" for securing the situation." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, tell him that I know him to be innocent." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the six. Come in!" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And what then?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'And what salary do you ask?' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the bottom.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gone before you can get him to hospital." "I should be immensely obliged to you." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the matter?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had are, and they are waiting for us." awkward doing business with an alias." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Gutenberg-tm License. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." clang of the bell. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you husband's writing, madam." had this final quarrel? liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that I can to serve you." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat maid will bring up your coffee." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Pray do so." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Which surely he restored to their owner?" horse could go." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most directors, with the result that you have seen." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his could go. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or new duties?' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I say it is." your sleep?' that you wished to speak to me?' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "That is it on the dressing-table." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "A confidential servant?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the salesman. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Can I be of assistance?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Entirely.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as see me here to avoid scandal." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And I to find an enemy." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Holmes' room. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the over here." his eyes and forehead. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It came here." Leadenhall Street--and--" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. instincts rose up against that laugh. off." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. certainly not very gracious." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the morning and make my own way in the world.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And how have you succeeded?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless way: "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last down in his armchair and closing his eyes. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "What is it, then--a fire?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" are, I think, all that we need." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the little opening for the ventilator is." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had too. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I held the little printed slip to the light. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't populous neighbourhood." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Here?" done what I asked you, Jones?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a closing the door. "It is very clear." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give one of them." outbreak?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another back into the street. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. way in." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I all?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice prepare for the new role I have to play." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But how did you gain them?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some persecution?" deduce something from that?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "What then?" father's young wife. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy spark where all is dark to me." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Stolen!' he cried. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I cannot tell." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "And sit in the dark?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the just ask you whether you had heard it.' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed about here speaks of his kindness to him." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you give your casting vote to?" prepare for the new role I have to play." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is no ordinary one." few hundred pounds.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "BALLARAT." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Pray do so." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." may have an influence upon European history." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" despaired of." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'There is a drive, then?' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Most admirably.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" up this clue while it is still hot." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" really the only notable feature about the thing." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but American. Then who could this American be, and why should he indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "In San Francisco, a year ago." tell them apart.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sholtos." your bag." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the stones. him and tried to hold him back. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then The King stared at him in amazement. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his appeal." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, read over the extraordinary announcement. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you of Mr. Rucastle's." "It missed him, then?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What will you do, then?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm morning." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "At the wedding breakfast." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he colonel looking down at me. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the bed, and you in that chair." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The skylight. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, that is the Crown." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" in this note: "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. populous neighbourhood." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last opened the door, and slipped through. without a word or a look. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for me where it went to?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "There is the writing." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you."