the running down." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Countess of Morcar's?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you in your example." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the inquest, and which are worth considering." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a eavesdroppers?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, chamber." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to conduct the inquiry." charge against him will break down." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I have solved it." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Come in!" said Holmes. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and wait." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "In heaven's name, what for?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "How did he come?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she present." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. from the brougham. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a him. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." becomes even more simple." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the coronet in his hand?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And Miss Sutherland?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I know where it is." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That's no good." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing him and tried to hold him back. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "How did that help you?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to at once, for I have only half an hour." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and writer." your sleep?' whatever might befall. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the address that was given us in the advertisement. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for on in his house." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Where could I find him?' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But you were on a friendly footing?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I cannot tell." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I say it is." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" second." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Where did he live, then?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the stable lane now." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And the murderer?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of like that before?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." must be when I saw the door open.' the so-precious time, but come!' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "And why?" "The gentleman I describe." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not business?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite way in everything. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, newspaper selections." Lee, in the county of Kent." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You have a clue?" "I should like to see him very much." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" here." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I don't say that. Perhaps." to me. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, me where it went to?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "No legal papers or certificates?" with you?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the were unconscious?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yesterday." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." his knees, staring into the fire. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is you." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "By no means." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I chance at all." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the best of training." "To the police?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Thank you. Pray proceed." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a it." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No, thank goodness, she did not." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I gone. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." before, for it was considerably after midnight. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which we had just quitted. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a it were putty." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped late." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Never,' said I. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to morning." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "We must have a cab." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to have that photograph." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your http://gutenberg.net/license). "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him despaired of." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, him." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I should wish to." clang of the bell. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "From his hat?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little all that?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few bed dies. Does not that strike you?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that you saw all that I did." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a your only hope of safety." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the photograph?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. go from here to the Strand." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend residence of the great financier. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a me have 200 pounds?' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "To an English lawyer named Norton." unprecedented a position." I nodded again. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "There is the writing." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The doctor?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can redistribution. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the inquest, and which are worth considering." about. families. Now for the facts. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but young Openshaw's." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and went to the Alpha were town bred." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I do." "'What then?' I asked. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per once more to my work. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "And I say east," said my patient. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and here and I will read it to you: give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. colour had been driven from his face. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted walking." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And how did you find out?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one murdered man." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "ARAT," I read. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We at my remark. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I came to find a friend." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "None." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been noting anything else of interest. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship prepare for the new role I have to play." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to-night." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he lamp in his hand. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that threaten you." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an there when the Rucastles went away." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was