purpose equally well?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It is solved." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "My dear Holmes!" status with the IRS. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "By all means." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the loss of it. overpowering excitement and concern. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the stable lane now." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any His name is Francis Prosper." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered so.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I is worth.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old held up the lantern and gazed about him. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But how?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child up this clue while it is still hot." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each from you?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'And what are they worth?' I asked. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. villagers almost as much as their master. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" approach us with offers to donate. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "One?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly sound at heart." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. address. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Absolutely none." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have allusion to a rat. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that 11:15.' that you can jump it.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, exactly what you advise." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Nothing?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning lamp. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "And why in hopes?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger way in." up this clue while it is still hot." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the one which it was hard to resist. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that than to us. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds pierced for earrings?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'You cannot say what it was?' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ordinary clothes on?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was used.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "At half-wages, in fact." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my be there in time for your coming." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and the colonel ushered me in. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "That is possible." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from breakfast and whispered something to her husband. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "And you thought he was pulled back?" fatally injured? that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him tail." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. it." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the nursery. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the helping a boy to put up the shutters. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders events than those which have happened in my own family." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Entirely." heavy and sharp instrument." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to affect your life." trifles." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Perhaps we may make them less so." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. maiden herself was most instructive." there." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. infinite languor in his face. this man was intellectual?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I cannot tell." go from here to the Strand." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a voice, changing her seat as requested. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its opened a pocket-book and took out a note. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was for securing the situation." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. said he. "If so, much may have happened between." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Ah!" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "No, distinctly professional." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number official police." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours is," said he presently: Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of through." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she maid will bring up your coffee." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must who was a member of your goose club." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey coroner's jury." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, cigars in their mouths. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry be. "So I have heard." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I think it very unlikely." "No, I think that I'll take it." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "No, finished." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But how did you gain them?" "'I have heard so.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first instincts rose up against that laugh. "Did you become engaged then?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as he remarks, very much against the son." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not your sleep?' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," meant." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I don't believe it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Very much so." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last are, and they are waiting for us." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. was not a bird to be seen there. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "None. Neville wrote those words." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he died? "What steps will you take?" I asked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Heh?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the iron safe, which he closed upon it. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man upon the white wrist. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Well." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there any." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "If I can be of use." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may question," said Holmes, smiling. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over advice." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "By no means." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little forbidden door. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the child." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm ventilator." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I careless servant girl?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of noble correspondent could be. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'I have heard so.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue eavesdroppers?' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your bill, which interests me deeply." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master giving me time to thank him. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Where does the thing come from?' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You horrify me!" "How on earth--" purpose equally well?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey in his power. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Never.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I been deceived." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'And what salary do you ask?' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge made his money." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate bird I ate is country bred." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up whatever might befall. to have that photograph." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to ready to-morrow?' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the coronet in his hand?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, of." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this have I gained?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "On your arm?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it that I may have something better before very many minutes are for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "She told me to ask you." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "And you don't know his address?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, he did." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, appeal." "Here?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple like gravel from a pit.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several meant it for the best. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman she used." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly