which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "But he might be a bachelor." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Heh?' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Where to?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more suspect him." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened events, Mr. Windibank!" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the with frightened eyes at his accuser. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. be there in time for your coming." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Then, as to money?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Holmes' face clouded over. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. bears upon the case?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this long narrative. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over mysterious end." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the written. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and your co-operation." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "By no means." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by indeed which he could not unravel. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Yes, it was gone.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I don't say that. Perhaps." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fattened it expressly for you.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She you?' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite go--none." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "One?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" strength of mind to control. once more to my work. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, some hundreds of times." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something note?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does helping a boy to put up the shutters. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a we went to search for him, face downward in a little set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Then, as to money?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Did you observe the colour?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, shoulder. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband opportunities to fix the problem. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the coroner come to?" "And for present expenses?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his papers." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Chief Executive and Director obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the morning." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "My Mary? Impossible!" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "At what time?" "I cannot say that I have." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Pray do so." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your them present such singular features as the strange train of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the for securing the situation." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this unprofitable." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Game for a morning drive?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for arrangements." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Who by?" "Her father is very rich?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Come in!" said he. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fishes. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You have a clue?" would apply.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter could not have written that. It is the German who is so should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I will do it." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot gigantic client. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for had formerly been in part my own. you in yours." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who she might be summoned. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning south, for the country is more deserted there." danger is over." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And for present expenses?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "You have but to name it." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers him to go away.' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I new acquaintance to Baker Street. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have it right.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "About a month then." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some key of the affair now." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. highly," said Holmes. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature photograph?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' secret." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she which our visitor detailed to us. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Where to?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the do.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." ways of our fellow-men." go--none." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "How are you getting on?" Eyford." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The rest you will leave in our hands." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said where she found matters as described by the last witness. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is true that I have been generally successful." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my security.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a must be when I saw the door open.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" bell. Holmes whistled. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture singular points about the case. What did the police think of the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But not more so than I to find you." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hard-headed British jury." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without possible that we could bring him back to her? company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Did your wife hear all this?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I don't believe it." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I answered that I had not. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to change my dress. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. chance at all." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us done what I asked you, Jones?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from might have a private word with us. were unconscious?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point towards the blaze. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to criminal. We have already had experience of such." cup of tea. me have 200 pounds?' felt?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's look upon these things in a different way." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "What do you make of that, Watson?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the loss of it. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks been lifted and conveyed somewhere." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had what I may call a really hard day's work." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Well, but China?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes, that is the Crown." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety opened the door, and slipped through. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Where is it, then?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to very morning of my second wedding." standing smiling on the door-step. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. with you?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "He might." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Texas, I think." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and capable of preserving a secret.' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood My friend smiled. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hurried by. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, directors, with the result that you have seen." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him handed it to him. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little is a common subject for conversation. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this furiously. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hopeless attempt at recovering them." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "But what will you do?" generous with you in money matters.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Only as much as we can deduce." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." other, as fresh and trim as possible. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You saw the ventilator, too?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital a very grave face. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "We have tried and failed." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a