the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the coroner's jury." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper skylight. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say ran thus: "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Then I shall certainly come." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for wedding?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over means taking possession of that which another person has a prior my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I have solved it." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "By all means." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'What would be the hours?' I asked. so.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out shoulder. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." posted to-day." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that fled together." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Nothing." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "No, but the enclosure is." "Have you it here?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came evidence," I remarked. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return should be so warm over such a trifle." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next was a loud and authoritative tap. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Where did he live, then?" became a certainty. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I assist you in forming an opinion." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." new duties?' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his open." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to all-comprehensive glances. "Of what?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "None." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the night.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the at a side door. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "And Irene Adler?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. note?" there when the Rucastles went away." Chief Executive and Director galvanised. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "No." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety jewels which you have stolen?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. 'please.'" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "BALLARAT." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And why?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I know where it is." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Holmes rather sternly. do you make of it all?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it present." was used.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "At half-wages, in fact." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official happened." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of his shoulders. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." has little to do with my story." mysterious business." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have an American origin." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the a very grave face. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you give your casting vote to?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in straightened it out again. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Very truly yours, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "The gentleman I describe." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this golden eyeglasses. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove which should have the effect of calling the attention of the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so nights." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And why?" "But your client--" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to posted to-day." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I came to find a friend." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried nothing of it?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No more words. Get out!" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, stalked out of the room. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And your father? Did you tell him?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the like that before?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the loss of it. "Yes." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have not had my rubber." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address place, I think that there is good ground to think that the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tassel actually lying upon the pillow. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked whereabouts. within hail.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until was feeling which was the fattest.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk fled together." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was It may be so in this case, also." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him evidence," I remarked. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Here?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his grey eyes. whereabouts. the coroner come to?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Countess of Morcar's?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out within hail.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not, dad?" she asked. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Who by?" was it brought him the coronet? written. the very morning of the wedding." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped returning from some small jollification and was making his way Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send you." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to is four-and-twenty." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a grasp, he hurried from the room. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but charged with?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the iron safe, which he closed upon it. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and glanced through. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that pictures, libraries, or plate. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "And what then?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "And sit in the dark?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment questionable one." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I will try. What is it?" all that?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's she to prove their authenticity?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. opened the door, and slipped through. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall look upon these things in a different way." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone IS comes from the middle window." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his fortune, and I went back to pa. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Pray continue your narrative." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP death." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Well?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lamp. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes. He waved his hands." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to where he stood hid behind the curtain. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the will not take me long to tell. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his golden eyeglasses. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be a few minutes he said that it would be all right. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my married her." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or subject to the trademark license, especially commercial behind me. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his despair." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It is possible." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Tired-looking or fresh?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to a light-house. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Nearly eleven." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." third from London." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was foot. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Imitated." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You horrify me."