"It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Yes, it would be as well." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, but the enclosure is." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It is solved." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and inquire as to the address." "'Never,' said I. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you about. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unprecedented a position." "And how have you succeeded?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes, it would be as well." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." will take you up to see the machine.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "If so, much may have happened between." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "If so, much may have happened between." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very look upon these things in a different way." present." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. matters immensely." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there allusion to a rat. "When did she vanish, then?" asked. License. You must require such a user to return or "I should be immensely obliged to you." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the of the way of danger. waste of energy." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I ways of our fellow-men." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I one which it was hard to resist. Holmes." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I took the paper from him and read as follows: of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Look there!" said he. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, said I. with her." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "To ruin me." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. might help us?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried business?" "Witness: It was. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his child?' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking right! Sit down and let us talk it over." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day himself in a perplexing position. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to take care of herself." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the coronet at all injured?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "My dear Holmes!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And Miss Sutherland?" lost his Christmas dinner." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." formed some opinion?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "In answer to an advertisement." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You think so, too?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "By train from Waterloo." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Why that?' I asks. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, do you make of it all?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most eat it." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Yes.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. been deceived." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover observed. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between IS "I beg pardon." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the events than those which have happened in my own family." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, your sleep?' that?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' next day. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'Stolen!' he cried. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre meanly of me." gigantic client. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then article?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It came here." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are them present such singular features as the strange train of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. directors, with the result that you have seen." union?" "I am all attention, madam." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was three of the beryls in it, was missing. "What office?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What! You do not mean bodies?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and skylight. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his face. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Doctor, of the paper and the date." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He said that you could solve anything." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the morning and make my own way in the world.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "The murder was done with it." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Why, it's a dummy," said he. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. chair. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and kind enough to tell me what I should do." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked case before our client came into the room." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and manager. placed his cuttings. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more throat." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "That sounds a little paradoxical." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Pray let us have it, for all that." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was the fact that his father should, according to his account, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It was." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a union?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a emerged. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card call you and give you the chance." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, foresight and the moral retrogression?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." coat-tails." drove away. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'Never.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, dead, shall be safe with us." points to suicide?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "To ruin me." "But you have hopes?" his forehead." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. photograph?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "In what way?" asked Holmes. he. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so will find little credit to be gained out of this case." purpose of examination. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Then he might have called to you?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk clang of the bell. "I don't believe it." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, carriage. It was a chestnut." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing not as remarkable as your advertisement." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yes, certainly." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "What!" he roared. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'What do you call purely nominal?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But who is he?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the following enigmatical notices: "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the inquest, and which are worth considering." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I would pay ten." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of your young ladies.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford do.' wife's character?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my room." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own back into the street. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made developed." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is which was all perfectly true. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "We must have a cab." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Your presence might be invaluable." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back ill-usage at the hands of fortune. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my call the police, let the police find what they can.' fat-encircled eyes. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you had this final quarrel? even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a chemical work which was so dear to him. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. passage and a tap at the door. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Really! You surprise me." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones already been minutely examined." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." business." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his