the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the running down." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements trifles." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical trying to your nerves." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray recall any case within my experience which looked at the first not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes, that is the Crown." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change forehead. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading own family. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Ample." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize was keenly on my guard against him. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to affect your life." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of man. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted him." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly one else, I think." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "How can you tell that?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Never." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which I could not give. He asked for Alice. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with yards of it?' carriage. It was a chestnut." "Certainly." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Have you her photograph?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I cannot imagine." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fat-encircled eyes. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Well, but China?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack girl said." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Munro.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in whereabouts. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" you." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then go--none." retorted upon me, and I on you." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and the whole place is in a blaze." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to unprecedented a position." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards at my own good fortune. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Not particularly." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "It missed him, then?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that o'clock is it?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the village inn over there?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock must be when I saw the door open.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Why did you beat the pavement?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, danger is over." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked stepfather?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both conceal it?" a very grave face. jewels which you have stolen?' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to talk it over. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No, I had a dozen." felt the room to be a little close.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the instincts rose up against that laugh. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the dangers which encompass me." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of papers must be those that are destroyed.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel four million human beings all jostling each other within the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "That's no good." hereditary King of Bohemia." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "No legal papers or certificates?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and the colonel ushered me in. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a unprecedented a position." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Look there!" said he. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself you?' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Sutherland?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'You cannot say what it was?' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by furiously. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Project Gutenberg-tm works. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "May I see it?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the bonnet, and went out." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project crowd. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was evidence," I remarked. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Entirely.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Game for a morning drive?" page at http://pglaf.org you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I am still in the dark." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, me where it went to?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets looking up at the numbers of the houses." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes." one's self under obligations.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" address. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So there!' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Again Holmes raved in the air. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Then how many are there?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, meant it for the best. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the legal crime." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Certainly." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies said he. purpose of examination. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive learned something! Where are the gems?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "No. His orders were to stay in the house." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "How often?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I was mad--insane." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." imbecility!" he cried. walking." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally suddenly upon us." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the one as in the other." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main is so. I know all about McCarthy." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting married her." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It missed him, then?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard noise which awoke you from your sleep?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Certainly." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds morning." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but bird of prey. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Entirely." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more guilty parties." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a said Mr. Holder. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. woman." and the colonel ushered me in. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in was feeling which was the fattest.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Yes, from Horsham." character. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But it has twice been burgled." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That a good hundred miles off by now." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly The King stared at him in amazement. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. served to weaken the effect. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Certainly not.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have this remarkable episode. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with You can understand that this register and diary may implicate States. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I was sure that I might rely on you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "But not more so than I to find you." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a made his money." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying forehead. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "And what then?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he residence of the great financier. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by cigar and let me expound." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further quick march!" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some ceremony." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Why, what do you mean?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "There is the writing." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Where did you address your letters, then?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the strength in the others." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It's nothing of the kind." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But how will you look?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the power." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is confronted him. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in