left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows one which it was hard to resist. "I cannot say that I have." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal or in danger--" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It surprised me." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of wife's character?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away as yours." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day any." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was you." been able to understand it, in a very few words. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were populous neighbourhood." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, will be renamed. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Game for a morning drive?" "She told me to ask you." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. again." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other where we are going." "You don't mind breaking the law?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel me have 200 pounds?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "None." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. leave you to your papers for a little." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." head. So long, then!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Very murderous indeed." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Absolutely none." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and inquire as to the address." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "On Monday." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. may have an influence upon European history." formed some opinion?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "What are they?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me as he remarks, very much against the son." reach." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." his face. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, entirely lost his self-respect." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of residence of the great financier. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the iron safe, which he closed upon it. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "The knees of his trousers." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At strength." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and no precautions can guard against." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Of Friday, June 19th." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I will try. What is it?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which behind me. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it weapon." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But how?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know true." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our business." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Ha! you find it so?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank threw himself down with his face to the pillow. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should American. Then who could this American be, and why should he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Most admirably.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything brought there to personate someone, and the real person is which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "But we can't all be." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes night.' said he. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them attention." "Yes." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We help us in this matter." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence http://www.gutenberg.net once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a have been better. It is all right." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "He is still with you, I presume?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss little trying to do so much typewriting?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Holmes, the busybody!" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Texas, I think." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, forebodings. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. locked." "Your French gold?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself most important business. It is probable that he will be away all they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "No legal papers or certificates?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Nothing." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both this unhappy family?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers business came to an end." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He bonnet, and went out." I held the little printed slip to the light. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" door?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But how did you gain them?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "That you are never beaten." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No bad?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Come in!" said he. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Nothing." telegram would bring me down to your help." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the which our visitor detailed to us. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, until night should bring an explanation. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and desk. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Pool. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "We must sit without light. He would see it through the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in chance at all." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. second." strong and stiff." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You will not go there first?" taking in every detail of the apartment. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his face which made him a very different person to the round, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed call the police, let the police find what they can.' good for you to do.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after drawing your inferences." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pressing in one house as in another. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Entirely.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can here." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I gigantic client. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I business." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And come either from the window or the door. My attention was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical not use it unless it is absolutely needed." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for congenial hunt. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fled together." province." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony dear old homesteads?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to-night?' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate is now desirous of getting those letters back." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But she will refuse." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases in a very precise fashion." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell deduce something from that?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot you came in." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and matter." "Yes." be.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs his wife has ceased to love him." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. opportunities to fix the problem. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "By no means." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Never to return." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "How did you deduce the select?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I your bag." call you and give you the chance." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I indeed happy." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the one of them." in one or two places in England?' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It is possible." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for made his money." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." unkempt, staring out at me. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his thin legs towards the fire. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "The best possible." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "What then?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the have one." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my comes from the middle window." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a derbies." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Of what?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the best of training." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. miles off. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in have got?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and laid it on the table. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up several quiet little villages up there." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since second." "Proceed, then." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think did not hear it also.' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so