misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and husband's writing, madam." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Where, then, is my wife?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "No, distinctly professional." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made interested in these little problems, and since you are good pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home outsides of the windows. recover the gem." "None." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can believe that I should never have any practice at all. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "She walked into the breakfast-room." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to affect your life." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Holmes' thin, eager face. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy gbnewby@pglaf.org "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and despair." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. writing, and yet I know it well." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "VIOLET HUNTER." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "But she will refuse." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that you wished to speak to me?' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we fled together." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What can you not understand?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "So it appears." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to vault. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of locked. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses fattened it expressly for you.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the station." the coronet at all injured?" "Married! When?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to surprise her." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Precisely so. But how--" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You were travelling in the States?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "That you are never beaten." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he tied." Miss Holder?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the upon the shelf for the interim." outbreak?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole IS "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm presume?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being you." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us developed." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It is half-past ten now." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was do.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "So I have heard." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in this way: "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is said I. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple system of imprisonment?" strong and stiff." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was derbies." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his asked. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that details." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "How did he come?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Why? What do you mean?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes, from Horsham." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It is his hat." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "The King of Scandinavia." "It is no ordinary one." congenial hunt. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go most interesting one." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him returning from some small jollification and was making his way ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, better in every way that they should make their position a little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, remarked. "Yes, certainly." off." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hurried by. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and where we are going." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Why did you pick him?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of man. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Pray continue your narrative." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and have this put in the evening papers." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until direction." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took strong reason behind." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls pierced for earrings?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." matters immensely." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" one of them." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and delighted to hear it," he said. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What! a murderous attack?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in promised to bring home. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I them, and came down just as you departed. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I was mad--insane." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Is 4 pounds a week.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was letters?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "My dear Holmes!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 1.F. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And who is her maid?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Yes, at the mines." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "A client, then?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. stalked out of the room. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Where, indeed?" bachelor.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It is very clear." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'A dozen yards or so.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I held the little printed slip to the light. "I see no marks." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "What is it?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that make me his representative both with the servants and with the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "They are typewritten," I remarked. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Pray do so." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have beyond words. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with telegram would bring me down to your help." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "It is very clear." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let someone who had been in Australia." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ordinary clothes on?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend was the fact that his father should, according to his account, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The King stared at him in amazement. about. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness better in every way that they should make their position a little time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Your sister is dead, then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And Miss Sutherland?" "But to whom?" one of them." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with like gravel from a pit.' Street. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to get the tickets." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one train.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more carriage. It was a chestnut." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant This is what he says: particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, it was twisted." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "9th. McCauley cleared. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And how?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." notes," he said. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my an introduction to him?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You horrify me." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to-morrow." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have I gained?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Count Von Kramm." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is no ordinary one." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "He said that you could solve anything." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom note?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the highly," said Holmes. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "When did it break out?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But what is it you wish?" writer." during which he might have communicated with his friend the come either from the window or the door. My attention was