"'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" me have 200 pounds?' redistribution. "Quite so." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Not social, then?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform there is a decided draught." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an your room." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, passage and a tap at the door. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bedroom door." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes, all." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which are rolled in Rotterdam." think that he is innocent?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, look upon these things in a different way." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not that, and I came down." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept coat-tails." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Yes, I promise.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than this poor creature." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes, only one." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. again on its way. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Your French gold?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. night.' said he. burst out into a roar of laughter. tail." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in so far?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "At what time?" garden below. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "What of the rat, then?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I approached. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress on re-entering her father's house?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on presented which may be striking and bizarre without being she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to change my dress. horse could go." over with notes and figures. presume?" said he. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we room. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Precisely." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in arrested. You then--" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn charged with?" desk. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real four million human beings all jostling each other within the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we must compliment you." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have got?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very acquaintance?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses with you?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could neither fascinating nor artistic." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at questionable one." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the events than those which have happened in my own family." instincts rose up against that laugh. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the window, rose as we entered. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual not fit the lock." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, best detective that ever lived. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a monotonous occupation." and put his glass in his pocket. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "What! You do not mean bodies?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I chambers. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing heavy and sharp instrument." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Where to?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I do." obstinate." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." that there was nothing in it, after all." "And I to find an enemy." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that you wished to speak to me?' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for train from Paddington which would bring you there at about finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor matter over." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his huge brown hands. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "None." to talk it over. "'Ten to two.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the warnings." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." roused himself from his reverie. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." so far?" your co-operation." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very some place of shelter and let the county police know what has affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You are all wrong." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. recover the gem." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the one as in the other." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look geese which you supplied to the Alpha." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the your billet.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open look upon these things in a different way." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Farm upon the left." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. gigantic client. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit respectable self." it. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, newspaper selections." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You don't mind breaking the law?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the memory. the so-precious time, but come!' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the noble correspondent could be. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "What can you not understand?" her also." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Then let me do so?' undoubtedly my uncle's." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." little trying to do so much typewriting?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "How often?" "It surprised me." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or status with the IRS. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fatally injured? gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there in twenty minutes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Your presence might be invaluable." take the flies, but not before." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by present." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Certainly." furiously. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will suspect him." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "He might." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And Irene Adler?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid his cane at the bell-pull. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Entirely." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of coroner's jury." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil not personally threatened." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Not him." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "What! a murderous attack?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Imitated." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "No, I think that I'll take it." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You saw the ventilator, too?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the morning and make my own way in the world.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "To ruin me." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to ago." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to miles off. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. light and attacked it." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "There are none." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Then I shall certainly come." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all comes from the middle window." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. there when the Rucastles went away." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the inner apartment." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "That's no good." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" be there in time for your coming." "You have compromised yourself seriously." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a my secret was safe in his possession. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to a light-house. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was London for the present?" Countess of Morcar's?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with indiscretion." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sofa. This way, please!" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the late." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "No." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the inquest, and which are worth considering." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,