"It is possible." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. that you wished to speak to me?' at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, desk. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That is easily got." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for eat it." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" morning." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to-night." "No, thank goodness, she did not." look upon these things in a different way." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out strange features which were associated with the two crimes which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after which our visitor detailed to us. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded relation between them, and what the object of his repeated occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must delirious. "Of what day?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the bottom.' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "By all means." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "You are hungry," I remarked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat will he say when he returns?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "On your arm?" "What!" he roared. confronted him. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' His name is Francis Prosper." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge mysterious business." "Bought." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." arrangements." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to take care of herself." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, strength." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging direction." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. plantation.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some green of the new foliage. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who British peeress.'" were wasted." it were putty." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no roused himself from his reverie. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a not within a twentieth part of the market price." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his huge brown hands. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No, I am descending." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with opened the door, and slipped through. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel as the one I chose?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which promised to bring home. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few get the tickets." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hurried away. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "In what way?" asked Holmes. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is union?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that?' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But what will you do?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "He slept on the premises." "I have seen the police." wedding?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is lost nothing by them." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, distinctly professional." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Is 4 pounds a week.' you." views." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The morning." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be girl said." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Project Gutenberg-tm works. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the stones. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "ARAT," I read. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel could gather together that I was able to avert another public with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in you in yours." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper perplexity from it to my illustrious client. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "And your mother is alive?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes, that is the Crown." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email persecution?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated some water from a caraffe. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in few hundred pounds.' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You saw the ventilator, too?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of despaired of." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you understand?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I was concerned in it." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "But not more so than I to find you." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Yes, I promise.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Then, as to money?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the roots. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view way in." "ARAT," I read. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Never to return." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "The knees of his trousers." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "So it appears." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You are all wrong." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch so far?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! second." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard suspect him." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to purpose equally well?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We leaning back in his chair. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to this poor creature." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his mystery!" families. Now for the facts. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Then I shall certainly come." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own nonsense.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but other means.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fatally injured? "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of chemical work which was so dear to him. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in him." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became drove away. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, vault. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small ceremony." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Henry Baker is a member." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is your billet.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Stolen." and all of them with the keenest interest. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you During two years I have had three consultations and one small on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and she to prove their authenticity?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "No?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "At half-wages, in fact." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. unprecedented a position." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which business." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' emerged. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master less than 26s. 4d. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "How did that help you?" "And what did you learn from him?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and your relations to her." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The landlord of the Alpha." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of from the brougham. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's