circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at point in the dark hollow of his hand. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And what then?" business." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two round with crates and massive boxes. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Then, as to money?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It certainly sounds feasible." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "An enemy?" there when the Rucastles went away." up this clue while it is still hot." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. client, rising. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed once more on the important position which you have been fortunate you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the key of the affair now." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side go--none." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE drove away. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you in your example." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I know where it is." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left attention." in darkness. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Holmes." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Why serious?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where my friend's incisive reasoning. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at had died away into the silence from which it rose. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I was mad--insane." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and hard-headed British jury." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no kind enough to tell me what I should do." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater gbnewby@pglaf.org Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other gone. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Where to?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised trying to your nerves." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the warnings." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Yes." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more possible that we could bring him back to her? memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, man. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Yes, it was gone.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, place of silver." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Did you become engaged then?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the date of his supposed suicide." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It is half-past ten now." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called train from Paddington which would bring you there at about King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Your presence might be invaluable." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Breckinridge is his name." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." chair. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still not within a twentieth part of the market price." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, his huge brown hands. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his investigation." and that he would see to anything that turned up. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I will try. What is it?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to affect your life." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few directors, with the result that you have seen." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over someone who had been in Australia." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "It may not come to that," said Holmes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the running down." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque foresight and the moral retrogression?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and glanced through. purpose of examination. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as shaken than I had ever seen him. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when an introduction to him?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and it need not interfere very much with one's other I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "What?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the such person." "'I am sure if I had known--' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and the whole place is in a blaze." letters?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. gentleman's clothes. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Never." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the depend upon your compliance." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hurried away. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite galvanised. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own problems help me to do so." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an coroner's jury." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Leadenhall Street--and--" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon roused himself from his reverie. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Then, as to money?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all until night should bring an explanation. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked some water from a caraffe. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler putting in the horse. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." three of the beryls in it, was missing. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and my former friend and companion. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Stoke Moran." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I would pay ten." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales how narrow had been my escape. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Yes, sir.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, there was no need for father to know." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock spare." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Watson," he said cordially. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside matter over." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the night.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the coroner come to?" conclusions. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which stood on the top of it. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as people don't know." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided residence of the great financier. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that late." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, I had a dozen." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is other lovers by making love himself." "You have but to name it." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "You have carte blanche." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his His smile broadened. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. hair?' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the your co-operation." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem him to go away.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "What I expected to see." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of the vacancies.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fire. You quite follow me?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face kindly on the shoulder. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Murdered?" will not take me long to tell. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Leadenhall Street--and--" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was