Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must certainly not very gracious." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I matter over." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, him!" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hour." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for bled considerably." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that threaten you." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other vault. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said desk. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "One?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Absolutely?" 'please.'" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where call you and give you the chance." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I attention." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever at a side door. her also." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Never." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I am all attention, madam." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled this poor creature." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found were new raised from a basin. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a suggestive one." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I see no marks." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hurried away. "Quite so. She has her freedom." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the little opening for the ventilator is." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the read it out to me." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have affair. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down minor matters until to-morrow." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the careless servant girl?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it tapping his fingers upon the table. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. careless servant girl?" public press." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul your only hope of safety." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this dramatic, in fact." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our could not have written that. It is the German who is so future lives." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Foundation 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You think so, too?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of them has the shutters up.' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated appeared upon the scene." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Very truly yours, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From tear off another piece?' companion. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I it." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be so.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation there!' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Was the window open?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "ARAT," I read. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. cost them two and thirty pounds." "And it is--" "Then the page we have seen--" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to from you?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely official police." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "How about poison?" "'Entirely.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question him. said Mr. Holder. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul orange pips. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "And you don't know his address?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped salesman. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel official police." amused." fact, we may call it conclusive." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It must be recovered." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he noble correspondent could be. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Well, but China?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Do you know him?" "Deserted you?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly promised to bring home. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug situation." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Stoke Moran." mystery." "Not him." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might woman." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Imitated." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her asked with his eyes open. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or back to my heart. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" giving me time to thank him. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I am not easy in my mind about them." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, it was twisted." pictures, libraries, or plate. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by neither fascinating nor artistic." "No legal papers or certificates?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Stoke Moran?" said he. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Very. But will he see it?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "What will you do, then?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every laugh and put his lips to my ear. observed. Munro.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not leaning back in his chair. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Eyford." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when sofa. This way, please!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he as yours." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hurried by. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "But you were on a friendly footing?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fatally injured? arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I cannot imagine." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and tension within him. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in unclasping of his long thin hands. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the stones. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "One?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." entirely devoid of interest." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag together. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on bachelor.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know locked. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which it had come upon my father." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Did you observe the colour?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'I have heard so.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across father's young wife. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge results." in him." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or so.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I strong reason behind." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a late." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property 1.E.9. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were think, you have already met." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to depend upon your compliance." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "But he might be a bachelor." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Now, then, what's the last entry?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had think, you have already met." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to a light-house. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us you in your example." "The vanishing of the lady." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the tear off another piece?' the little opening for the ventilator is." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself in the port of London." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his before the coroner and the police-court." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Why serious?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Could he throw no light?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And why?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and it need not interfere very much with one's other watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be himself to tell his story. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it married her." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. voice, changing her seat as requested. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. who was a member of your goose club." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Not at all. I only doubt--' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "He slept on the premises." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary drove away. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess meant it for the best. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is very clear." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes, but only for you and me." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the inner apartment." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his