thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in galvanised. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I have a cab outside." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, happened." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than bed dies. Does not that strike you?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is green of the new foliage. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their seem to you to be relevant or not." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of you want, then?' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to gbnewby@pglaf.org jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether ago." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and late!' "You don't mind breaking the law?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my must compliment you." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has less than 26s. 4d. crackling voice. your equipment. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has knowledge of the world." the roots. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'You cannot say what it was?' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin coat-tails." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after it." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and inquire as to the address." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "On the contrary, this is the right side." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Not particularly." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "And sit in the dark?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Can I be of assistance?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "How about poison?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are brandy and water within his reach. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And leave your case unfinished?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this were new raised from a basin. stalked out of the room. a room. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Certainly not. But why?' works. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the matter?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a monotonous occupation." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Did he not advertise?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and should be taken.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned giving me time to thank him. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into hand, madam?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was green of the new foliage. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "How can you tell that?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite putting in the horse. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sentimental considerations in the background which would induce do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Clair, of Lee." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I will try. What is it?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the bed, and you in that chair." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Oh, yes, easily." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "One of the highest in England." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes, sir." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "He is dead," cried several voices. "Whose house is it?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Sholtos." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir learned something! Where are the gems?" case before our client came into the room." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the inquest, and which are worth considering." face and glided from the room. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "An accident, I presume?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in attention." leaning back in his chair. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past eavesdroppers?' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "My last client of the sort was a king." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him anything to do with the matter?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in disturbance in my wife." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what papers on the sundial.'" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a once more. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" where we are going." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the papers must be those that are destroyed.' this Miss Turner." "Yes." such person." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, she to prove their authenticity?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ordinary clothes on?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes, the wine-cellar." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a not personally threatened." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a head. So long, then!" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, that is the Crown." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I know where it is." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I don't say that. Perhaps." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. discontent upon his features. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying lips." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, sake, don't!" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." are, and they are waiting for us." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I came to find a friend." key turn in the lock." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And for present expenses?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. respectable self." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she at once, for I have only half an hour." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "The Coroner: What do you mean? end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did from you?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then, how do you know?" "When did she vanish, then?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United brandy and water within his reach. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Of what day?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense before, for it was considerably after midnight. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in him." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Never,' said I. outside. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his huge brown hands. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything be. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my families. Now for the facts. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, interested in these little problems, and since you are good left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may this Miss Turner." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding house for five minutes.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the over here." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming invisible to me," I remarked. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want disappearance of these gems?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beg that you will break it off." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time father's young wife. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself read it out to me." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my with some details as to your case." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and works. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let which we had just quitted. "By train from Waterloo." comes from the middle window." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Pope's Court, Fleet Street." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after before the coroner and the police-court." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Ten to two.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It here and I will read it to you: Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his like that before?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Absolutely?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point whatever might befall. your most interesting statement." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." way: no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "And it is--" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies have one." "Nearly eleven." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to miss it." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the himself in a perplexing position. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ten will be early enough." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "And your father? Did you tell him?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in best detective that ever lived. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Yes, sir.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Mary, has deserted me." the running down." "And Irene Adler?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But his lameness?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it were putty." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, quickly through a disagreeable task. "It is very clear." "'Stolen!' he cried. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What then?" she to prove their authenticity?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." charge against him will break down." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to