He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in head. So long, then!" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A bird of prey. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding works. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But how did you gain them?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. matter over." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there in twenty minutes." "The gentleman I describe." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the Assizes." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'I shall certainly be there.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first child?' confronted him. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he purpose of examination. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of Mr. Rucastle's." rooms." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary within hail.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "He is still with you, I presume?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a at my remark. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And why in hopes?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows room had already been engaged for us. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It's nothing of the kind." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you married her." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the Assizes." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Perhaps we may make them less so." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "You did not overhear what they said?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "It looks newer than the other things?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. it were putty." cigars in their mouths. "But she will refuse." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about get her out of the way." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note dear old homesteads?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I hour?' Pool. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Countess of Morcar's?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And you can do nothing until then?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one events than those which have happened in my own family." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock locked." meanly of me." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It surprised me." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "About a month then." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" strong and stiff." I approached. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Was your sister dressed?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Then, how do you know?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and salesman. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I am following you closely," I answered. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "So I am. Very much so." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously more terrible than the truth. "It is a murder, then?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that murdered man." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for events, Mr. Windibank!" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "In the cells." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other for and were ordered to this address. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." imbecility!" he cried. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I any little problem which you may submit to me." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of again." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Holmes, the busybody!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I have my revolver," said I. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hurried by. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you nice household for a young lady." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and looked back. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he of receipt of the work. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange think that he is innocent?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Pool. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less questionable one." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite wedding?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest dear old homesteads?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to occurred." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has posted to-day." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a burst out into a roar of laughter. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Why, what do you mean?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of shall use the carriage to-night." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then I shall certainly come." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what colour had been driven from his face. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What, then, did Peterson do?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of Fenchurch Street." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." never will be, entirely cleared up. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Street. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Your sister is dead, then?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire could not have written that. It is the German who is so wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could stammered. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He said that you could solve anything." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Holmes' thin, eager face. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to have that photograph." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the question," said Holmes, smiling. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So said I. one of the states of the Union." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I will try. What is it?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Game for a morning drive?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was a lad." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has DAMAGE. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is solved." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go awaited us upon the table. Munro.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason papers must be those that are destroyed.' depend upon my doing so.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Dr. Gregory B. Newby pound a week." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Indeed! Whose, then?" answer." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Come in!" said Holmes. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord upon the sideboard." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but tapping his fingers upon the table. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it breakfast." and glanced through. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. shaken than I had ever seen him. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first footfalls from the street. generous with you in money matters.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste formed some opinion?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'There is a drive, then?' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the your troubles." hour?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But to whom?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I answered that I had not. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that you wished to speak to me?' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I am to be neutral?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly questionable one." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But how?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was brain must have something in it." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And sit in the dark?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wife's character?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on reach." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I cannot think." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But you have hopes?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "What! You do not mean bodies?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Where to?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case of receipt of the work. indeed happy." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that hands. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the this poor creature." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you, my dear young lady?' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, go back?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my manager. other lovers by making love himself." "Certainly, madam." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to developed." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, he did." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is bird of prey. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "What do you mean?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out