from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a sooner or later she must fall a victim. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut villagers almost as much as their master. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "But how?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Miss Holder?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Then he might have called to you?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect my former friend and companion. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. but preventing her from injuring another. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." on in his house." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' married her." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Eh? What was that?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and the church but not where the lady lived." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I shall communicate with you." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It was an hour's good drive." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see stammered. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when walking." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without are, and they are waiting for us." better in every way that they should make their position a little you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but man. I know him from the photograph." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business business." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No, I am descending." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Imitated." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "A greater distance to travel." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Never." him to go away.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. answered with a sidelong glance. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Certainly, madam." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as call you and give you the chance." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so presented more singular features than that which was associated unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. figure." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. in a very precise fashion." the best of training." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been your billet.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Quite so." is four-and-twenty." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "One of his hands." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the child." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and it need not interfere very much with one's other of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a fashion which was peculiar to him. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "My opinion is in no way altered." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which should have the effect of calling the attention of the people in all walks of life. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every nothing with him." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the way: for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the time." paper in the air. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of do." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the salesman. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see everything which you would wish to know." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "But it has twice been burgled." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a evidence," I remarked. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, any." outbreak?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his your co-operation." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his residence of the great financier. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are right! Sit down and let us talk it over." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving became a certainty. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Who was the criminal, then?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hour?' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I society." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a should be taken.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the what do you think they found in the pockets?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where infinite languor in his face. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, outbreak?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" placed his cuttings. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I answered that I had not. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my nothing with him." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some narrative." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End know what is wrong with it.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "In heaven's name, what for?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "It is very kind of you." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "My stepfather's business papers." photograph a cabinet?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock if she died from some sudden fright." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Where, then?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." so far?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of trying to your nerves." "It was an hour's good drive." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she o'clock is it?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "If so, much may have happened between." "It looks newer than the other things?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he habit of advancing money.' your sleep?' presented more singular features than that which was associated "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an is acting for the best. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we happened." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention companion imperturbably. said he. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for one of them." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Frequently." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with colour had been driven from his face. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, breakfast." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are for its centre. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, happened." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster me. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by anything to do with the matter?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and capable of preserving a secret.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but laugh and put his lips to my ear. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "What have you to say now?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The King of Scandinavia." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I fear not." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Always." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "On the contrary, this is the right side." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Edgeware Road. Where does the thing come from?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, everything which you would wish to know." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at detained." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, morning." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Entirely.' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "He might." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some bachelor.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I