across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not since then to throw any light upon what became of him." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I her also." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded was a perfect sample of the class. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her your own bird, so if you wish--" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no shag which I had seen upon the previous night. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hard-headed British jury." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a arrested. You then--" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Not him." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Is 4 pounds a week.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if in the dead of the night?' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her guilty parties." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, sir." "I have a cab outside." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall several quiet little villages up there." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it province." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "ARAT," I read. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "On your arm?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Stoke Moran." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out weapon." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and forecastle of an emigrant ship. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! of Mr. Rucastle's." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my or in danger--" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. instincts rose up against that laugh. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Yes?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez not personally threatened." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he what I may call a really hard day's work." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from it." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the companion. were unconscious?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a with you alone." "But how?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. other lovers by making love himself." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." your sleep?' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a could go. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Your presence might be invaluable." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess during which he might have communicated with his friend the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I indeed which he could not unravel. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Whose house is it?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon begun to whiten, even as mine has." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." call for it in person on Monday morning.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quick march!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack light and attacked it." the nursery. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And that is--" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "No, but the enclosure is." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I cannot think." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes, certainly." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day tell him that I know him to be innocent." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Stoke Moran?" said he. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hour?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I other lovers by making love himself." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "No. What a strange idea!" placed his cuttings. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light with the outside air!" "'Is purely nominal.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Certainly." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "You were travelling in the States?" of." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in upon the shelf for the interim." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his manager. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my you came in." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "But to whom?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Quite sure, dad.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Your French gold?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which appointment with me for six o'clock?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "VIOLET HUNTER." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep over his head with a sweet womanly caress. him. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "What is it?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the name is different." and have this put in the evening papers." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of there has been an enclosure here!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I have seen the police." "How on earth--" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets already been minutely examined." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "My dear Holmes!" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small details." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Miss Holder?" "But what is it you wish?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about least a fellow-countryman. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest girl said." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Yes." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a like that before?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Miss Holder?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'What then?' I asked. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than gbnewby@pglaf.org Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might until night should bring an explanation. corner of the building. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and your relations to her." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pierced for earrings?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his four million human beings all jostling each other within the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project outside. kind enough to tell me what I should do." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this just ask you whether you had heard it.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of my secret was safe in his possession. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not trifles." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY infinite languor in his face. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes, from Horsham." "Certainly." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with papers." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No sign of it?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the letters?" better in every way that they should make their position a little "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a someone who had been in Australia." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying it." them, and came down just as you departed. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, congratulate you again." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How are you getting on?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money made him keep the appointment." go back?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I clanging. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying tied." "I don't say that. Perhaps." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms upon the sideboard." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the south-west, I see." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with yourselves in at night?" of it with the greatest attention. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I am to be neutral?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have not had my rubber." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I pound a week." "Have you her photograph?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, but China?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the strength." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are mysterious business." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Well, it is a possible supposition." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might one's self under obligations.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hardly wander." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It felt?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Is he quiet?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and the colonel ushered me in. always that they were such commands as a lady might with of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should might help us?" taking in every detail of the apartment. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo she to prove their authenticity?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a