you found me to-night--and running through the front room she arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? begun to whiten, even as mine has." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last felt?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the your sleep?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Dr. Gregory B. Newby matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite I have it here in my museum." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to miss it." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, one else, I think." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner did not hear it also.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. fact, we may call it conclusive." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the beg that you will break it off." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the been able to understand it, in a very few words. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that locked. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And you can do nothing until then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the matter?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have excitement. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for was already answered. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Then he might have called to you?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Did you become engaged then?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Yes.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You have the photograph?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the general public were present, then?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in spark where all is dark to me." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be writer." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "There is the writing." what I may call a really hard day's work." letters?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Quite so. She has her freedom." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Pool. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from nothing with him." "The knees of his trousers." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No, finished." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But he might be a bachelor." the Assizes." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." here." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' she might be summoned. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his huge brown hands. Eyford." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and habit of advancing money.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should mystery may be cleared along those lines." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass about here speaks of his kindness to him." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the bed, and you in that chair." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him presented more singular features than that which was associated ways of our fellow-men." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. not fit the lock." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would call you and give you the chance." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my there in twenty minutes." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her For additional contact information: public press." hard-headed British jury." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fluttered off among the others. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Stoke Moran?" said he. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Nothing?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was shining brightly. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. appeal." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "He is still with you, I presume?" "Was he the only applicant?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind passage and a tap at the door. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And I." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "None." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony direction." young Openshaw's." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, colour had been driven from his face. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Ten will be early enough." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat events than those which have happened in my own family." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Pray do so." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. breakfast?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I was mad--insane." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "You will not go there first?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a flock.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." out." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "One of the highest in England." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Certainly, madam." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his purpose of examination. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to have that photograph." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But what will you do?" "Not particularly." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I events, Mr. Windibank!" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "A client, then?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Pray do so." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "What will you say?" "Eh? What was that?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "What of the rat, then?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fluttered off among the others. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I shall communicate with you." highroad, where all traces were lost. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I promise," said Holmes. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You will not go there first?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Foundation A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' sake, don't!" "Nothing." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Bought." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a seen the man in the road." remarked. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Holmes." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Precisely." not personally threatened." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "And leave your case unfinished?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come your equipment. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Not in the least." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Precisely so. But how--" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. points to suicide?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, read over the extraordinary announcement. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special once more. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the address that was given us in the advertisement. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a on in his house." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but legal crime." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'I have heard so.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Why, what do you mean?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sufficient punishment." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes, only one." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "My stepfather's business papers." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I nodded again. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Nothing." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Certainly not.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Precisely." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And is that all?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking mystery!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that?' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'How far from the body?' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple