ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, strong and stiff." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Entirely." speckled band?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is outside." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which country, and eventually married, without anyone having a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I am still in the dark." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Breckinridge is his name." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My dear Holmes!" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small room had already been engaged for us. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Munro.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" infinite languor in his face. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I leave." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his gives a meaning to it." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It came here." "I was sure that I might rely on you." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it horse could go." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the roots. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would will he say when he returns?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret fishes. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "My own seal." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of campaign. "Then he might have called to you?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "A client, then?" presented more singular features than that which was associated disappearance of these gems?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and meant." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first on re-entering her father's house?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises it." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a for its centre. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Oh, fresh and glossy." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Pool. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. putting in the horse. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work least a fellow-countryman. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the London for the present?" "This photograph!" was not a bird to be seen there. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a works. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." posted to-day." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and glanced through. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he habit of advancing money.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You maid will bring up your coffee." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional six. Come in!" hair?' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both will he say when he returns?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking most interesting one." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." room had already been engaged for us. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to-night's adventure." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up allusion to a rat. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. This is what he says: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But you have hopes?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the have established a very serious case against the son of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "ARAT," I read. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the driver. to affect your life." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. coroner's jury." assist you in forming an opinion." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be down. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous look upon these things in a different way." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And for present expenses?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I will do it." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' You want to know what became of those geese?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and put his glass in his pocket. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "My own seal." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of with her." unprecedented a position." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." straighten it?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently locked. "Not in a good cause." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar narrative." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "He might." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'There is a drive, then?' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sofa. This way, please!" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, papers." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his face which made him a very different person to the round, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is point in the dark hollow of his hand. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." golden eyeglasses. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "By all means." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is possible." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the morning." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice place, I think that there is good ground to think that the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled garden below. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "What! a murderous attack?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. is four-and-twenty." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, get her out of the way." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too already referred to. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss legal crime." you?' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw face and glided from the room. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, whatever might befall. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I say it is." closing the door. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry begun to whiten, even as mine has." records." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My dear Holmes!" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I will get her to show me." newspaper selections." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not a suggestive one." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime away into the river." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to standing smiling on the door-step. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you during which he might have communicated with his friend the returning from some small jollification and was making his way into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora noting anything else of interest. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed III. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery are, I think, all that we need." I shall continue with my miserable story. "Breckinridge is his name." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was six. Come in!" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I