better in every way that they should make their position a little served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get experiences." "And what did you learn from him?" "Texas, I think." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'I shall certainly be there.' the inner apartment." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when village inn over there?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story disappearance of the bride.'" "How many? I don't know." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the noble correspondent could be. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the very morning of the wedding." "Not in a good cause." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. weary and pale-looking. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "In what way?" asked Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "She told me to ask you." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I have my revolver," said I. "You horrify me." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by this poor creature." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel business at Coburg Square is serious." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken which we had just quitted. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Certainly." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Heh?' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "He disappeared so suddenly." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yesterday." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. coat-tails." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many gbnewby@pglaf.org the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering away into the river." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not tell them apart.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, second." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Yes." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George better grown goose." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them imbecility!" he cried. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning looking up at the numbers of the houses." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But how?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Texas, I think." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "And how did you find out?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she desk. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was into the room. other, as fresh and trim as possible. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during felt?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Precisely so. But how--" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little problems help me to do so." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "And now?" I asked. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Who was the criminal, then?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be for its centre. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such is so. I know all about McCarthy." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "He is still with you, I presume?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the about here speaks of his kindness to him." "How do you know, then?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the inquest, and which are worth considering." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He gigantic client. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fait accompli?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'What do you call purely nominal?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Could he throw no light?" this man was intellectual?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." depend upon my doing so.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in becomes even more simple." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Were they all fastened this morning?" who was a member of your goose club." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in then?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yes, only one." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps events than those which have happened in my own family." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "In heaven's name, what for?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But I am all in the dark." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the himself. house for five minutes.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is tapping his fingers upon the table. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the house with me." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Perhaps I have." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the general public were present, then?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "It is possible." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Not social, then?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in despaired of." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events yourselves in at night?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but envelope. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "It is possible." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of campaign. "'Certainly,' I answered. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "What are they?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to a light-house. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. upon the white wrist. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled breakfast?" you, my dear young lady?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Perhaps we may make them less so." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle might have a private word with us. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon happened." overpowering excitement and concern. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "What of the rat, then?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." mystery!" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed neither fascinating nor artistic." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "My Mary? Impossible!" detective. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether absorbing." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "None. Neville wrote those words." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, your Highness to the police-station?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You have a clue?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Where did you address your letters, then?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us your bag." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There be.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hopeless attempt at recovering them." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Eh? What was that?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' awkward doing business with an alias." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and your Highness to the police-station?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Eyford." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from you?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you next day. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying comes from the middle window." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hardly wander." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "What do you mean?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. I leave." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "My dear Holmes!" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes, he did." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as closing the door. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Certainly,' I answered. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Yes, at the mines." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which are windows in it, of course?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "To an end?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical purpose of examination. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sofa. This way, please!" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! out." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light generous with you in money matters.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you that he will be back before evening." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest once more to my work. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial remarked. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hurried away. them, and came down just as you departed. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his as the one I chose?' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us advice." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I nodded again. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that reach." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right character. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of think, you have already met." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily man. I know him from the photograph." will be renamed. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was business?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Texas, I think." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary note?"