always that they were such commands as a lady might with London for the present?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of I think that I could be of assistance to you." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, hurried by. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated these bleak autumnal evenings." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Why, what do you mean?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, know that the truth is known." asked with his eyes open. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes." be.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the coronet in his hand?" "It is half-past ten now." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You saw the ventilator, too?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him down. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "It was." morning." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend even so self-evident a thing as that." mysterious end." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the matter." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "The rest you will leave in our hands." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to his chemical studies. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes." "In what way?" asked Holmes. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then wife's character?" lost his Christmas dinner." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his forehead." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You think that he is dead?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms his grey eyes. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further residence of the great financier. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who one of the states of the Union." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any conclusions. what I may call a really hard day's work." through." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" should be taken.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I before, for it was considerably after midnight. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Yes." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back despair." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Upon what point?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "And sit in the dark?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the what these perils are?" "Of Friday, June 19th." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pound a week." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Lee, in the county of Kent." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa for securing the situation." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I affection." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cigar and let me expound." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their What do you deduce from it?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. light and attacked it." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of delirious. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you it." be sorry for having acted so harshly." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But his left-handedness." matter over." particular state visit http://pglaf.org Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would straightened it out again. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble she might be summoned. out." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the papers must be those that are destroyed.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Then what has happened to him?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face opened a pocket-book and took out a note. matters immensely." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the visitors." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally lectures into a series of tales." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hand, madam?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, it means?" and the colonel ushered me in. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "In answer to an advertisement." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes his wife has ceased to love him." his fortune, and I went back to pa. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it? Did I buy the geese off you?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for enter into my head. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a your bag." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Here?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could he. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods one of the states of the Union." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Pray let us have it, for all that." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "That is also quite modern," said the lady. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in whole matter to your consideration." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "ARAT," I read. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the salesman. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax you." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'I have heard so.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Why, what do you mean?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our his face. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did had picked up in the wood. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bedroom door." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am over here." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the head. So long, then!" client, rising. have established a very serious case against the son of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Where did he live, then?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Indeed! Whose, then?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, corner of the building. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, it was twisted." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, once more for Briony Lodge. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Ample." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes' face clouded over. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That read it out to me." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner power." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, ourselves in the office." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Eyford at 11:15.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel be. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sound at heart." forbidden door. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I know where it is." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a here and I will read it to you: could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I promise," said Holmes. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, even of instruction." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Very. But will he see it?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for lost nothing by them." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I it. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It is very clear." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "What, then, did Peterson do?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Which surely he restored to their owner?" enter into my head. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in deduce something from that?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "But of what society?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' passage and a tap at the door. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "The Coroner: What do you mean? Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, like that before?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at be. "It was an hour's good drive." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately straighten it?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my thirty. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "How did you trace it, then?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to miss it." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dead, shall be safe with us." "No sign of it?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I shall be delighted." "No, my brougham is waiting." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "What of the rat, then?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that you saw all that I did." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted back to my heart. may have an influence upon European history." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dates and names. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always all-comprehensive glances. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic it? Did I buy the geese off you?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold British peeress.'" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his better grown goose." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Count Von Kramm." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a one of them." "Not in the least." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have a clue?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and