call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "They are typewritten," I remarked. Sholtos." "I was mad--insane." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than go back?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the few hundred pounds.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that, and I came down." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, him and tried to hold him back. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then I can wait in the next room." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "There are none." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fire. You quite follow me?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to his chemical studies. than was visible to me." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided nothing with him." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with towards the blaze. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Very much so." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his bird of prey. fat-encircled eyes. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Then, how do you know?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Pray tell us what has happened to you." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in round and wave him away like that.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and all of them with the keenest interest. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "The knees of his trousers." straighten it?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, despair." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a room. "I have come for advice." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And I." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our followed. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the ceiling. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm swore that no one else had been in the front room during the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, place of silver." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and again." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens an introduction to him?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of placed his cuttings. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Did your wife hear all this?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Ten to two.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of exactly what you advise." observed. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I took the paper from him and read as follows: opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fled together." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Could he throw no light?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young call it cruel." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Texas, I think." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Witness: It was. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out papers diligently of late, have you not?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I interest. They are important, you understand, without being swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And why in hopes?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And why?" I approached. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do showing my impatience. and laid it on the table. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'As governess?' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled anything to do with the matter?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I nodded again. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the lectures into a series of tales." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "I will not look." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which we had just quitted. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Yes, sir." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. cup of tea. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you away in different directions, and I went off to make my own it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, girl said." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I am following you closely," I answered. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Yes, but only for you and me." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of nights." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with with frightened eyes at his accuser. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "From his hat?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I will get her to show me." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black sooner or later she must fall a victim. as he remarks, very much against the son." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward it means?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'What do you call purely nominal?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I say that I have solved it." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I think that I had better go, Holmes." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean chamber." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the whole matter to your consideration." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done approach us with offers to donate. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Deserted you?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four McCarthy." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to shoulder; "he's all right." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you forbidden door. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you what is your own theory as to what took place?" do you make of it all?" his cane at the bell-pull. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in returning from some small jollification and was making his way Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Texas, I think." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' evidence," I remarked. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "No." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but said he. opened the door, and slipped through. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Heh?' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, as he remarks, very much against the son." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid manager. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to them present such singular features as the strange train of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, visitors." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking that I may have something better before very many minutes are science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' tension within him. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "No. What a strange idea!" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, other means.' writer." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, sir." secret." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Holmes, the busybody!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. green of the new foliage. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here empty. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in my life." reach." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "If I can be of use." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; It was close upon four before the door opened, and a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced written. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a golden eyeglasses. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of individual and becomes the badge of a society." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to way in everything. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fasten all the windows?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little cigar and let me expound." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I am not easy in my mind about them." "No, but the enclosure is." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting must compliment you." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the child." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the Assizes." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the a room. "I will do it." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "But she will refuse." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But your troubles." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in appeared upon the scene." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We lamp. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You will not go there first?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? tell me that you intended to go into harness." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage once more to my work. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I