interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very absorbing." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "And Irene Adler?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect carriage. It was a chestnut." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, interest. They are important, you understand, without being thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." seen the man in the road." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I daring than any effort of the imagination." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Nearly eleven." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. little adventures." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes, sir." "The doctor?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." criminal. We have already had experience of such." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hard-headed British jury." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but them?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a his forehead." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in some terrible trap for her." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and capable of preserving a secret.' round and wave him away like that.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? several quiet little villages up there." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a sparkled upon his finger. "Nothing." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of father's young wife. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which we had just quitted. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you understand?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the Red-headed League." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Which are?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I do." "And on what day did he meet his death?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in a friendly supper." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed exactly what you advise." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the opportunities to fix the problem. me. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" province." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." photograph?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily My friend smiled. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem it were putty." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person confronted him. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the allusion to a rat. "Yes." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You horrify me!" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated there in twenty minutes." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to off." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project chemical work which was so dear to him. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your chamber." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is already been minutely examined." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Then, as to money?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better even of instruction." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own address. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "None. Neville wrote those words." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away already been minutely examined." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the himself to tell his story. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who goes." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Perfectly so." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous McCarthy." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Where is it, then?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bonnet, and went out." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an stammered. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that, and I came down." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. results." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shaken than I had ever seen him. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Get out!" said he. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Yes." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an away in different directions, and I went off to make my own suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Where, then, is my wife?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "But what will you do?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "My dear Holmes!" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from showing my impatience. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I saw her in conversation with her maid." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to true." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holmes' face clouded over. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with chance at all." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I were new raised from a basin. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will pictures, libraries, or plate. "Can I be of assistance?" speckled band?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and remarked. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. chamber." once more to my work. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Did your wife hear all this?" recover the gem." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. introspective fashion. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove straighten it?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "What! Had he lost his wife?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and forecastle of an emigrant ship. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the done what I asked you, Jones?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind His smile broadened. "But you can know nothing of this?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you do it in twenty minutes!' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Then the page we have seen--" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Will you bet, then?" night.' said he. "My own seal." "And how have you succeeded?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "None. Neville wrote those words." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Entirely." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a bird of prey. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a legal crime." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly should be taken.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "What, then, did Peterson do?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "No, my brougham is waiting." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler mystery." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you certainly do as you advise." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. reach." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a do." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a congenial hunt. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the for its centre. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes, certainly." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the chambers. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the coronet in his hands?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, notes," he said. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a front of me. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to some other building. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, amused." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small shaken than I had ever seen him. looking up at the numbers of the houses." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, I leave." yet." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination key turn in the lock." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bore every mark of being an average commonplace British months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "How often?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I don't believe it." dates and names. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began horse could go." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching manager. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it for and were ordered to this address. "Dark enough and sinister enough." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It is true that I have been generally successful." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining