considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the stable lane now." Where does the thing come from?' "It surprised me." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "And why?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "At the wedding breakfast." "I think that it is very probable." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Not him." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in were new raised from a basin. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in this note: "'Yes, it was gone.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average points to suicide?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the devil!" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the call it cruel." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the time." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "That sounds a little paradoxical." you came in." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to where he stood hid behind the curtain. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang union?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "We were both in the photograph." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Mary, has deserted me." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at again, where I was soon asleep. "A confidential servant?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to roused himself from his reverie. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared footfalls from the street. three fields round his house, and there he would take his deduce something from that?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It looks newer than the other things?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "There is the writing." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently my little problems." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'And what are they worth?' I asked. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between important." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you had formerly been in part my own. detained." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of Fenchurch Street." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to his face which made him a very different person to the round, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. way in everything. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the be best to do. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Pray continue your narrative." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty awaited us upon the table. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was when your master had gone out." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "But his lameness?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. spare." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and have been better. It is all right." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the row." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the address that was given us in the advertisement. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And now?" I asked. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I am about to be married." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the empty. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a business?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'I am sure if I had known--' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found memory. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in photograph?" keep the flames under. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's arrangements." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that there was nothing in it, after all." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. brain must have something in it." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The him and tried to hold him back. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the amused." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I signal between you and your father? "And on what day did he meet his death?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "How did he come?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Nothing." "Entirely." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. seven miles from Eyford Station.' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" better grown goose." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" there in twenty minutes." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then directly by questioning you." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "And on what day did he meet his death?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower second." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "She walked into the breakfast-room." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "How did he come?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the so-precious time, but come!' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, which was all perfectly true. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And it is--" once more for Briony Lodge. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my pierced for earrings?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to arrive at through this?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, will he say when he returns?" "It surprised me." his knees, staring into the fire. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now For additional contact information: say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was not a bird to be seen there. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ourselves in the office." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, second window is the one that I jumped from." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "You will not go there first?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Then I can wait in the next room." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in the port of London." said he. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Nothing?" ventilator." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any nonsense.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "An enemy?" "At the wedding breakfast." answer." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to-night." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Certainly, madam." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of them has the shutters up.' recover the gem." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is cause to be." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the vacancies.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. writer." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is four-and-twenty." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is to him that this trophy belongs." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It is his hat." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was what I may call a really hard day's work." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for of Fenchurch Street." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and new duties?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was if only as a check to my own memory." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. crime." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with her." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" tear off another piece?' affection." "It certainly sounds feasible." strength in the others." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I know where it is." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "No legal papers or certificates?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "But how will you look?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "In what way?" asked Holmes. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you if she died from some sudden fright." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If excitement. His name is Francis Prosper." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of digesting their breakfasts at home." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has little adventures." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." chemical work which was so dear to him. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring meant." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air opened the door, and slipped through. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" friend's singular character. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Indeed! Whose, then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have an American origin." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had all?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in putting in the horse. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just been." "So I am. Very much so." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Can I be of assistance?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made behind me. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its legal crime." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, be. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a