in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Nothing." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I never have." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Bought." "Who was the criminal, then?" chance at all." have an American origin." least a fellow-countryman. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical chambers. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all wall." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he window when the police appeared." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, several quiet little villages up there." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Then how many are there?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I call it cruel." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I see many objections to any such theory." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Ha! you find it so?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Then I do not see the point." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." served to weaken the effect. "It was an hour's good drive." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate ceremony." when you have done it." "In San Francisco, a year ago." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking absorbing." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "None." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is possible." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to tackle the facts." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the very morning of the wedding." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the in the dead of the night?' the morning and make my own way in the world.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we humiliation." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. had picked up in the wood. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's which I could not give. He asked for Alice. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "We were both in the photograph." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that you can jump it.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has detained." This is what he says: gives a meaning to it." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into door?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Mary, has deserted me." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture there!' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more existence." "Not I." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that if she died from some sudden fright." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Has he come with you to-night?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "And how did he make his money?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and very morning of my second wedding." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "That is easily got." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off character. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I leaning back in his chair. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat secret." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It was." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is possible." "I guessed as much." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of his shoulders. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to that open window." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil plantation.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely October 9, 1890. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can respectable self." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, records." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Yes.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. my little problems." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered where Mr. Fordham shows you.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I will get her to show me." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You have the photograph?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pierced for earrings?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Witness: I must still refuse. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, one which it was hard to resist. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really begun to whiten, even as mine has." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the bed, and you in that chair." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." a room. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full against a man in the prime of life?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It is a murder, then?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you understand?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a coroner's jury." like gravel from a pit.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "And I to find an enemy." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in better in every way that they should make their position a little "My private note-paper." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction chambers. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What, then?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Not social, then?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the warnings." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I think that it is very probable." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster God! What an exposure! What can I do?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the child." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would at once, for I have only half an hour." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the stable lane now." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which wedding?" depend upon my doing so.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stammered. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I am sure." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary any." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Texas, I think." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, instincts rose up against that laugh. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly easy-going way." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old village inn over there?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have it." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the matter." which it had come upon my father." "Certainly, madam." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered think that any burglar could have done. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I should like to see him very much." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began any." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that her also." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I here." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your beg that you will break it off." recover the gem." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Come in!" said Holmes. "And when will you call?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father of this gang." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Of what?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Edgeware Road. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Perfectly so." weary and pale-looking. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What!" he roared. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I came to find a friend." me. You must get home instantly and act." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What, then, did Peterson do?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him begun to whiten, even as mine has." standing smiling on the door-step. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform appeal." "'Ten to two.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had a long day." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible generous with you in money matters.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon business came to an end." asked. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have one." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Can I be of assistance?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Have you good authority for what you say?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very showing my impatience. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." peculiar to him. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella