him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical your most interesting statement." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I written. "Dark enough and sinister enough." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced there is a decided draught." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to back to my heart. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, is worth.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had this final quarrel? Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to unkempt, staring out at me. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her said he. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the so.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant thirty. beyond words. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Perhaps I have." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "But we can't all be." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the retorted upon me, and I on you." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Why serious?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so existence." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But you would not advise me to refuse?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to burst out into a roar of laughter. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Arthur Conan Doyle certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Leadenhall Street--and--" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bonnet, and went out." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his huge brown hands. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are if I call to-morrow?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, here and I will read it to you: and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two all-comprehensive glances. cigars in their mouths. be best to do. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Her father is very rich?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "No bad?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear burst into a hearty fit of laughter. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I have it here in my museum." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small written, and locked the door of the office after me. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the returning from some small jollification and was making his way the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It goes to the housekeeper's room." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, security.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my secret was safe in his possession. "The Coroner: What do you mean? and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "If so, much may have happened between." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "But what is it you wish?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the recover the gem." Farm upon the left." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left any more." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. back alive. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed some mystery and the punishment of some crime." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, one of them." noting anything else of interest. garden below. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "The best possible." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he it means?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I would give my fortune to have them back." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in this way: he died? relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." this Miss Turner." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sparkled upon his finger. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which 1.E.9. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in second window is the one that I jumped from." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the purpose of examination. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I showing my impatience. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "We must have a cab." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with you alone." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. best detective that ever lived. papers diligently of late, have you not?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. him nearly every evening." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And your mother is alive?" crackling voice. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'I have heard so.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' look dissatisfied." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that you wished to speak to me?' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "And why?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I guessed as much." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as call you and give you the chance." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst you found me to-night--and running through the front room she reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as him!" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to III. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the salesman. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Yes, it would be as well." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is a common subject for conversation. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his miles off. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to train.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Miss Holder?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No more words. Get out!" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "No, my brougham is waiting." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And I to find an enemy." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was a lad." to that open window." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his wife has ceased to love him." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set this remarkable episode. new duties?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and article?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" figure." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. families. Now for the facts. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'A dozen yards or so.' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I think it very unlikely." neither fascinating nor artistic." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to-night." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would gives a meaning to it." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining said I. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of the one which your family is now devouring." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Serpentine Avenue. is worth.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She when you have done it." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in colonel looking down at me. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Yes, sir.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very without a word or a look. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And what did you see?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. imbecility!" he cried. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth business." stepfather?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "My opinion is in no way altered." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Street. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. companion imperturbably. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter pierced for earrings?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do down. seven miles from Eyford Station.' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do