about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility even so self-evident a thing as that." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small father's place of business?" girl said." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Was there a secret marriage?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white do.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and who was a member of your goose club." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Then I do not see the point." "What have you to say now?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. The King stared at him in amazement. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Certainly not. But why?' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions to Leatherhead. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I cannot as yet see any connection." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility arms and began to sob in a high treble key. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Nothing?" results." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "No bad?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, see a sister of mine apply for." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "But she could not love him." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears nothing of it?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. appeal." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." them, and came down just as you departed. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. you give your casting vote to?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been him nearly every evening." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, all." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small upon the sideboard." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What! You do not mean bodies?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were was shining brightly. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the place of silver." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Nothing?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side McCarthy's innocence. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And I say east," said my patient. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And what did you learn from him?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling this remarkable episode. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I will get her to show me." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But you can know nothing of this?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making test if we have an answer to our advertisement." chair. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the be sorry for having acted so harshly." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client have not had my rubber." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Then the page we have seen--" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. feature." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of Mr. Rucastle's." minor matters until to-morrow." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Come in!" said he. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the happened." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in the hope of finding them." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Yes.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master back alive. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had 1.F. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'I am sure if I had known--' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." status with the IRS. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the evidence," I remarked. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I know where it is." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." washing it down with a long draught of water. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to-morrow." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "No, I think that I'll take it." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every more solid." I nodded again. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "It goes to the housekeeper's room." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had business." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A exactly what you advise." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wedding?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always because she had spent so short a time in this country that she very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid results." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest deduce something from that?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my little problems." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her down from London to inquire more deeply into it." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And Irene Adler?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "About a month then." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass look upon these things in a different way." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, of campaign. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and inquire as to the address." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found his face. himself in a perplexing position. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got he bowed and left the room without another word. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the look upon these things in a different way." "How can you tell that?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one room. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "This concluded the examination of the witness." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot once more for Briony Lodge. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall delighted to hear it," he said. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and I shall be with you presently." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You forget that I know nothing about it." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and case-book, which he consulted. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Of what?" "Was there a secret marriage?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, second window is the one that I jumped from." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Most admirably.' power." some city in a dream. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." advice." Stoke Moran." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It missed him, then?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his knees, staring into the fire. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Entirely." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, License. You must require such a user to return or "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I were unconscious?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at heavy and sharp instrument." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "No sign of it?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But how?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but appeal." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged my secret was safe in his possession. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning awkward doing business with an alias." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was lamp. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Breckinridge is his name." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "None." "And I say east," said my patient. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And you don't know his address?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." disappearance of these gems?" "Won't it ring?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you see a sister of mine apply for." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "My dear Holmes!" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said train.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry points in connection with it which never have been, and probably passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the knowledge of the world." opportunities to fix the problem. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed overpowering excitement and concern. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and jewels which you have stolen?' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an light and attacked it." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned becomes even more simple." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set directly by questioning you." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously arrested. You then--" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the indiscretion." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This during which he might have communicated with his friend the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." know all about it," he snarled. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." maiden herself was most instructive." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry