and the colonel ushered me in. "Of Friday, June 19th." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step you." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of outsides of the windows. "Not social, then?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," minor matters until to-morrow." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." always that they were such commands as a lady might with house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of breakfast." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "This photograph!" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But how did you gain them?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the house with me." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." matter over." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "A thing like a cleaver," said he. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What have you done?" asked Holmes. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their way in everything. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop guilty parties." we went to search for him, face downward in a little bedroom door." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. as he remarks, very much against the son." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. when you have done it." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man true." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, thought that she would have been so carried away." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that it means?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from weigh very heavily upon my conscience." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is His name is Francis Prosper." an introduction to him?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the rose-bushes. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the discontent upon his features. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Which dealer's?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards infinite languor in his face. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "How do you know, then?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for cigars in the box." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the on in his house." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "By no means." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Witness: It was. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography this Miss Turner." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ten will be early enough." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "My own seal." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the remarked. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'And the work?' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the followed. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had official police." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so was not a bird to be seen there. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or opportunities to fix the problem. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year fattened it expressly for you.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has not interfere, come what may. You understand?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "There are none." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied as he folded up the epistle. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But how?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" father's young wife. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project but preventing her from injuring another. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you way: which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. on re-entering her father's house?" emerged. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of the one which your family is now devouring." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that tapping his fingers upon the table. "Never to return." "They are typewritten," I remarked. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. on re-entering her father's house?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project me." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "You think so, too?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "No more words. Get out!" of his shoulders. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, she to prove their authenticity?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Yes." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'As governess?' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Your French gold?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the too. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I would pay ten." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." rat could hardly pass through." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, brandy and water within his reach. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of this gang." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And now?" He raised his hand. "Ha! you find it so?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Certainly." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "On Monday." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for on in his house." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I would pay ten." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. bird I ate is country bred." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "But you would not advise me to refuse?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Who by?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This individual and becomes the badge of a society." which we had just quitted. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own this man was intellectual?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but humiliation." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But he might be a bachelor." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and it need not interfere very much with one's other "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, straightened it out again. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "But she will refuse." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love cigars in the box." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had very morning of my second wedding." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Have you good authority for what you say?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You think so, too?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less For additional contact information: habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "What of the rat, then?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of back alive. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And from a noble client?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone true." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, will he say when he returns?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'In my own bureau.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I despaired of." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From go from here to the Strand." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Do you know him?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His means taking possession of that which another person has a prior in the hope of finding them." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out his eyes and forehead. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do or in danger--" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. morning." outside. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my there!' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Certainly." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay business?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." John Swain, of St. Augustine. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached happened." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the For additional contact information: in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped details should find their way into the papers. Inspector however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note,