I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of You can understand that this register and diary may implicate focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I this remarkable episode. tied." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "My own seal." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but woven round him. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Certainly." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the loss of it. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, his face. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I roused himself from his reverie. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the believe that I should never have any practice at all. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lamp in his hand. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to as he remarks, very much against the son." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." My friend smiled. made his money." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss him. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare wedding?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Very. But will he see it?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the photograph?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His when you have done it." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. get the tickets." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We house for five minutes.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third beg that you will break it off." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered system of imprisonment?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the matter?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me shall not find me ungrateful." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I. "The murder was done with it." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he think that any burglar could have done. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But the mystery?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which never to learn it at all." one's self under obligations.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, carpenter." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "How are you getting on?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "The Cedars?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "ARAT," I read. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'I have heard so.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the me." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, upon the shelf for the interim." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter despaired of." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of again." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its cause to be." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the events, Mr. Windibank!" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "How did he come?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she particular state visit http://pglaf.org sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Why serious?" when your master had gone out." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Then what has happened to him?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing electronic works back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Munro.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Was your sister dressed?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your easy-going way." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is very kind of you." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime License. You must require such a user to return or not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the see a sister of mine apply for." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had helping a boy to put up the shutters. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table you." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little fait accompli?" back into the street. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and capable of preserving a secret.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You were travelling in the States?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to for and were ordered to this address. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But I have heard all that you have heard." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Not in the least." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No. What a strange idea!" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "In what way?" asked Holmes. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "And I to find an enemy." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the narrative." to have been novel and of interest." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of your only hope of safety." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "One of the highest in England." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. suspect him." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some vanished into the darkness. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Then you may entirely rely on me." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite memory. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both License. You must require such a user to return or maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round asked. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one not use it unless it is absolutely needed." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of heavily into it. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Thank you. And your address?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had colonel looking down at me. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sofa. This way, please!" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "None." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness place of silver." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. page at http://pglaf.org not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door purpose equally well?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fashion which was peculiar to him. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' unprofitable." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my mystery." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and wait." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone exactly what you advise." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And sit in the dark?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I am in hopes that she does." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must problems help me to do so." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'How far from the body?' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, stammered. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "In San Francisco, a year ago." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all someone who had been in Australia." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided outsides of the windows. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'It is locked up,' I answered. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make putting in the horse. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for his knees, staring into the fire. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, spare." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own careless servant girl?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We shall not find me ungrateful." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You know me, then?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in gone. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You have it, sir, just as it happened." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to his chemical studies. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about as he folded up the epistle. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Yes, but only for you and me." eavesdroppers?' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the narrative." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the fasten all the windows?" she used." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the at my own good fortune. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out events, Mr. Windibank!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had died away into the silence from which it rose. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Yes, sir." "What is it?" "It's nothing of the kind." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I know where it is." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about mysterious business." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of away into the river." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which gentleman's clothes. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which from you?" "No?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked