fat-encircled eyes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I have hopes." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to note?" and inquire as to the address." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to Leatherhead. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of thirty. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of only touch the interest." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before on re-entering her father's house?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Is he quiet?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Then he might have called to you?" "I was mad--insane." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Certainly." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Just look it up, then." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "How are you getting on?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the call the police, let the police find what they can.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his husband's writing, madam." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most said he, "my real name is James Ryder." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but look dissatisfied." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." your co-operation." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back politicians who had been sent down from the North. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'And what salary do you ask?' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Clair, of Lee." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Eyford at 11:15.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." present." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of charged with?" bonnet, and went out." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." your own bird, so if you wish--" I approached. be there in time for your coming." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss next day. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." promised to bring home. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." know what is wrong with it.' overpowering excitement and concern. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "But how will you look?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they waste of energy." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I cannot think." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, room?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ways of our fellow-men." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason business came to an end." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, distinctly professional." "And how did you verify them?" I leave." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, awkward doing business with an alias." "Was the window open?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he more solid." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and mystery." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner this unhappy family?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Dirty?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But what is it you wish?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their furiously. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away perplexity from it to my illustrious client. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is you." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant exactly what you advise." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the at my own good fortune. all-comprehensive glances. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I are windows in it, of course?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have records." could gather together that I was able to avert another public It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fact, we may call it conclusive." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's bonnet, and went out." "But what harm can there be in that?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your it." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the gbnewby@pglaf.org "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have father's place of business?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. writing, and yet I know it well." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "One?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, national property. I was determined that the law should have its it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the salesman. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. clang of the bell. tail." have got?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never main points of my analysis." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of something of him before." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Does that suggest anything?" feature." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? His name is Francis Prosper." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But your client--" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a examine." peculiar to him. breakfast?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "A confidential servant?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him crackling voice. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." whatever might befall. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be of the vacancies.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the stable lane now." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I know where it is." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the fuss that is made over them." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, o'clock is it?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a details." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" any." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in politicians who had been sent down from the North. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, go back?" "How did he come?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It one or two very singular points about this room. For example, so.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the outside. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as will take you up to see the machine.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to me. "What, then, did Peterson do?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only garden below. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Where to?' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are like that before?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I secret." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "No. What a strange idea!" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "But it has twice been burgled." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We kind enough to tell me what I should do." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'Which dealer's?' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Won't it ring?" galvanised. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from door?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, are, and they are waiting for us." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'I am sure if I had known--' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Certainly,' I answered. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Ten to two.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me make me his representative both with the servants and with the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent bonnet, and went out." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of delirious. which are rolled in Rotterdam." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to affect your life." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as developed." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "You'll never persuade me to believe that." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. weary and pale-looking. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at woman who has had her own way to make in the world. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Not yet." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to himself to hunt down. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take distinguish the words: interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there!' I nodded again. the house with me." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of London for the present?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "But I am all in the dark." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put redistribution. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Is he quiet?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Is he quiet?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Then you may be so with me." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Witness: I must still refuse. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you in your example." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain test if we have an answer to our advertisement." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a very grave face. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an house for five minutes.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United