it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "We were both in the photograph." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Watson," he said cordially. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched crime. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "He is still with you, I presume?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of get the tickets." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be thought that she would have been so carried away." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "What then?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The relief. like gravel from a pit.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, at once, for I have only half an hour." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. ready to-morrow?' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Where, then, is my wife?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true were new raised from a basin. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter his cane at the bell-pull. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Bought." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to secret." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Foundation America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police their singular warning or token before them when starting upon prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he bowed and left the room without another word. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Not him." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate not come at once?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "None." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this even of instruction." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to-morrow." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes, at the mines." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise happened." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have shall not find me ungrateful." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You saw the ventilator, too?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call night.' said he. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "No." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lumber-room." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the a good hundred miles off by now." "What are they?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. roused himself from his reverie. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "And you don't know his address?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, quite distinctive." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And you thought he was pulled back?" as he folded up the epistle. asked. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'And the work?' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in hard-headed British jury." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I His smile broadened. your troubles." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ceremony." one's self under obligations.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty laugh and put his lips to my ear. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found late." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a fear." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "But what harm can there be in that?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, six. Come in!" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the manager. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It is no ordinary one." few hundred pounds.' the house with me." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four people in all walks of life. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of the vacancies.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, even of instruction." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits shall not find me ungrateful." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and through." "Yes, at the mines." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered vague figure huddled up in the darkness. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I do." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I was sure that I might rely on you." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in his power. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with my friend's incisive reasoning. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which someone who had been in Australia." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and problems help me to do so." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage bird I ate is country bred." he bowed and left the room without another word. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been straightened it out again. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such note?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped man. I know him from the photograph." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Ah!" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "He said that you could solve anything." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is very clear." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Imitated." "You have the photograph?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ways of our fellow-men." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where again before evening." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where James Windibank. Voilà tout!" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I beg pardon." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his your billet.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that introspective fashion. "I was mad--insane." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "How did he come?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yesterday." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, this Miss Turner." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it towards the blaze. affection." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to have been novel and of interest." read over the extraordinary announcement. some water from a caraffe. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there For additional contact information: some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the room. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That is unusual in a young girl." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "No?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Sutherland?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "What then?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I have solved it." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is possible." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Imitated." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the business in the City. She little knew what. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, these bleak autumnal evenings." and all of them with the keenest interest. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hair?' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they salesman. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to a light-house. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the me where it went to?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & quickly through a disagreeable task. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, whereabouts. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, but the enclosure is." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though question," said Holmes, smiling. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the as this. Pray let me have the details." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded him!" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ourselves in the office." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our charge against him will break down." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and shaken than I had ever seen him. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "But his lameness?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The works. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken chill to my heart. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only morning." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "She will not sell." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I you." peculiar to him. opened the door, and slipped through. undoubtedly my uncle's." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am client, rising. "What then?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to have that photograph." them, and came down just as you departed. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for when you have done it." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case three fields round his house, and there he would take his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and