situation." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I cannot tell." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian photograph?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Here?" "Quite so." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." garden below. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said man. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "The murder was done with it." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an exactly what you advise." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland weapon." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very because she had spent so short a time in this country that she front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "No, I think that I'll take it." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "But it has twice been burgled." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he bowed and left the room without another word. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Entirely." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the everything which you would wish to know." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yes, it would be as well." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "What then?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is himself in a perplexing position. question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the prisoner's face. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Then I can wait in the next room." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "That you are never beaten." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking it were putty." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "That was it, sir." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Yes, it was gone.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought salesman. "Then you may entirely rely on me." with her." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my cost them two and thirty pounds." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything hurried away. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "And Irene Adler?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you do it in twenty minutes!' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things what do you think they found in the pockets?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "Really! You surprise me." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I hardly wander." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that I am arrested." "And your mother is alive?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Murdered?" "How did he come?" status with the IRS. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with o'clock is it?" pictures, libraries, or plate. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself together. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And your father? Did you tell him?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and I shall be with you presently." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And leave your case unfinished?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third if she died from some sudden fright." "But what will you do?" when you have done it." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and capable of preserving a secret.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and the whole place is in a blaze." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upon an income of about 60 pounds." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "That is it on the dressing-table." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside II. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and laid it on the table. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor experiences." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a it. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." thought that she would have been so carried away." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing you give your casting vote to?" other means.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I am following you closely," I answered. about. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the inquest, and which are worth considering." voice. cause to be." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "She walked into the breakfast-room." "None." must be when I saw the door open.' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery very morning of my second wedding." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your bachelor.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of the one which your family is now devouring." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I plantation.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of call it cruel." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'What would be the hours?' I asked. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of This is what he says: "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. him. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to became a certainty. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Most admirably.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT respectable self." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Pray be precise as to details," said he. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with with her." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo nice household for a young lady." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet peculiar to him. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Where is it, then?" "Will you bet, then?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to DAMAGE. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Which dealer's?' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility sofa. This way, please!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these could go. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of ceremony." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What can you not understand?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Ten will be early enough." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Ten to two.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure depend upon my doing so.' less than 26s. 4d. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and effective." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Witness: I must still refuse. nights." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "This concluded the examination of the witness." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to later, upon the night of May 2nd." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the quite distinctive." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dates and names. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You were travelling in the States?" License. You must require such a user to return or the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning official police." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "And sit in the dark?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait without success. At last the little money which I had saved began crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "But how?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how better in every way that they should make their position a little "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, fact, we may call it conclusive." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too advice." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "You have compromised yourself seriously." Pool. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you promised to bring home. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I have come for advice." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the your billet.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Nearly eleven." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church characteristics, but those are the more obvious." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Entirely." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that there!' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I think that it is very probable." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider asked. I. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day again, where I was soon asleep. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both third from London." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very clang of the bell. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood pound a week." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to occupations.' "Do you go out much in society?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform jewels which you have stolen?' spark where all is dark to me." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the breakfast?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned mysterious end." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "No." you?" know that the truth is known." important."