despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain strength." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend it. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the child." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for papers." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully outsides of the windows. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made thin, with a long, sharp nose?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Deserted you?" was already answered. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself empty. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of neither fascinating nor artistic." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "What will you say?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable vault. stepfather?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. that you can jump it.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is them present such singular features as the strange train of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But could go. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary companion quietly. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My last client of the sort was a king." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "It is to him that this trophy belongs." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Precisely." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." more terrible than the truth. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through papers must be those that are destroyed.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." furiously. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'I shall certainly be there.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the gentleman's clothes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fluttered off among the others. "And how in the world did you find them?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. business in the City. She little knew what. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope bachelor.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'A dozen yards or so.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ran thus: it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the appeal." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to take care of herself." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the depend upon my doing so.' "Your presence might be invaluable." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "The landlord of the Alpha." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began him, that man would not have given me such complete information "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "And how?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were way in everything. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "So I heard. You have him here?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was remarked. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a at a side door. "Did your wife hear all this?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out vanished into the darkness. chamber." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "It is very clear." help us in this matter." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Foundation "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be imbecility!" he cried. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with client, rising. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, during which he might have communicated with his friend the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Ha! you find it so?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap one else, I think." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to you." your co-operation." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "In heaven's name, what for?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. points to suicide?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I beg pardon." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying behind me. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The doctor?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would passage and a tap at the door. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to taking in every detail of the apartment. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he cost them two and thirty pounds." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that manager. "By all means." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" see a sister of mine apply for." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have ordinary clothes on?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I guessed as much." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, passage and a tap at the door. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You saw the ventilator, too?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Why serious?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "At the wedding breakfast." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of your young ladies.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" enter into my head. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter entirely devoid of interest." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the salesman. "And did you observe any change in her then?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if are windows in it, of course?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, night.' said he. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds direction." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You'll never persuade me to believe that." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought as the one I chose?' morning." "What are they?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Come in!" said he. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "On Monday." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more kindly on the shoulder. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." companion imperturbably. this unhappy family?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of cigar and let me expound." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it never came back." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "So it appears." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But your client--" "Certainly." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Count Von Kramm." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden train.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be had formerly been in part my own. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "How often?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her License. You must require such a user to return or "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the one of the states of the Union." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Pope's Court. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Doctor, of the paper and the date." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point returned to France?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Murdered?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I writing, and yet I know it well." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I will, Miss Turner." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the King without delay." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "No, but the enclosure is." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face your co-operation." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the little opening for the ventilator is." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I am still in the dark." bird of prey. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even grasp, he hurried from the room. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Do you know him?" was feeling which was the fattest.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I sparkled upon his finger. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is outside. weary and pale-looking. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and that he would see to anything that turned up. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I don't say that. Perhaps." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided