fishes. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat criminal. We have already had experience of such." the night.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for how narrow had been my escape. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, quick march!" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the someone who had been in Australia." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Not social, then?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from believe that I should never have any practice at all. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the murdered man." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of the vacancies.' in a friendly supper." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to when your master had gone out." yards of it?' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It is half-past ten now." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Not I." "How about poison?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and is," said he presently: "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a coroner's jury." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my maiden herself was most instructive." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third third from London." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the rose-bushes. "I answered that I had not. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "My own seal." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hour." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Pray do so." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, examine." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Yes.' "By no means." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I occurred." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "VIOLET HUNTER." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple putting in the horse. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand writers could invent nothing more crude." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again read over the extraordinary announcement. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who companion. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond highroad, where all traces were lost. any." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the child." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what your most interesting statement." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." me have 200 pounds?' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and put his glass in his pocket. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. placed his cuttings. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for more solid." them?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Holmes' face clouded over. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I say it is." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so lost his Christmas dinner." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "10th. John Swain cleared. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready this truth that in these little records of our cases which you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood know that the truth is known." throat." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My dear Holmes!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of question. "And I." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "But she will refuse." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to me. You must get home instantly and act." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "But how did you gain them?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, you do it in twenty minutes!' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "It is half-past ten now." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "He slept on the premises." character. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first best detective that ever lived. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I should be immensely obliged to you." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But how did you gain them?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "He is still with you, I presume?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the inner apartment." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest success. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "But to whom?" few hundred pounds.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Then, how do you know?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "How about poison?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Very much so." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, it is a possible supposition." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying served to weaken the effect. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "What, then, did Peterson do?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, your only hope of safety." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was sneer upon his pale face. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And Miss Sutherland?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What do you make of that, Watson?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to she might be summoned. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said case-book, which he consulted. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet money should be paid at once.' "Proceed, then." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "There are none." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is through." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and o'clock is it?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Surrey." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it were putty." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was have accepted such a situation. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hurried away. papers." conduct the inquiry." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate feature." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "And how have you succeeded?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. four million human beings all jostling each other within the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gbnewby@pglaf.org glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. may have an influence upon European history." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "At the wedding breakfast." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and put his glass in his pocket. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted compunction about shooting them down." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." words came to my lips. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Where is it, then?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the side-table." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. should be taken.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight neither fascinating nor artistic." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Precisely." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales very morning of my second wedding." like gravel from a pit.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of your young ladies.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and himself to tell his story. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." once more to my work. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier once more on the important position which you have been fortunate tapping his fingers upon the table. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb to surprise her." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after his face which made him a very different person to the round, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too you understand?" be there in time for your coming." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "But he might be a bachelor." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean points to suicide?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' sound at heart." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of a light. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was least a most suspicious remark." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "No." this unhappy family?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the acted in my house last night?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of nice household for a young lady." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a brandy and water within his reach. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do.