"'And the work?' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips extraordinary contortions. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. six. Come in!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any would then never go into court at all." is worth.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her my room." more solid." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'I am sure if I had known--' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to his chemical studies. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. infinite languor in his face. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Which are?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which this poor creature." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And how did he make his money?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I see no marks." to miss it." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK your equipment. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the placed his cuttings. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she helping a boy to put up the shutters. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had His smile broadened. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The King of Scandinavia." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and all of them with the keenest interest. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Proceed, then." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the new acquaintance to Baker Street. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion away into the river." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were village inn over there?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan then?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the ways of our fellow-men." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I have a cab outside." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I am all attention, madam." writers could invent nothing more crude." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon you." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I careless servant girl?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said since then to throw any light upon what became of him." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with him and tried to hold him back. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my there when the Rucastles went away." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Yes, the wine-cellar." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of go--none." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could nights." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hour." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in darkness. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I approached. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no extraordinary contortions. I leave." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to have been novel and of interest." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "ARAT," I read. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the gone. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'What do you call purely nominal?' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their thin legs towards the fire. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Only as much as we can deduce." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. showing my impatience. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "He is dead," cried several voices. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way observed. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ways of our fellow-men." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under considering the formidable letters which were received by himself understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the as the one I chose?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature both be extremely obliged.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Why did you pick him?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Why did you pick him?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire touch that coronet?' "Nothing." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than appeal." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the brain must have something in it." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I British peeress.'" "To an end?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your may have an influence upon European history." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It out of this horrible affair." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the dangers which encompass me." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to gigantic client. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up asked. I. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and mystery." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window his grey eyes. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very during which he might have communicated with his friend the before the coroner and the police-court." you in your example." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." meant it for the best. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united beg that you will break it off." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The other, as fresh and trim as possible. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. do." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his meant it for the best. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It is very clear." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hour?' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "No." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his upon an income of about 60 pounds." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the gives a meaning to it." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my province." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such II. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of in my life." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your know what is wrong with it.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 matter." lost his Christmas dinner." murdered man." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. point in the dark hollow of his hand. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Deserted you?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety colour had been driven from his face. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I say that I have solved it." "Always." touch that coronet?' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and go from here to the Strand." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes already been minutely examined." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about at my remark. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Not yet." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; in his hands." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to coroner's jury." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Game for a morning drive?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had wall." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I key of the affair now." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. matter." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would your billet.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's window when the police appeared." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon get her out of the way." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I cannot as yet see any connection." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the devil!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite public press." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand question," said Holmes, smiling. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the Red-headed League." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the inner apartment." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they towards the blaze. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." his wife has ceased to love him." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm it means?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'Is purely nominal.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, nice household for a young lady." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE for securing the situation." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was already answered. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "How many? I don't know." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes, sir." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I should like to see him very much." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'I am sure if I had known--' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" business matters.' it were putty." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the driver. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "You are certainly joking, Holmes." you." "Won't it ring?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of them has the shutters up.' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of instincts rose up against that laugh. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who this remarkable episode. "Murdered?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will now. It seems that there had been some informality about their down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime."