"'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the very morning of the wedding." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of six. Come in!" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It was." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But what is it you wish?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of happened." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his you want, then?' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so entirely devoid of interest." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of that?' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I crowd. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." visitors." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the cup of tea. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in your London, you will know that the office of the company is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you legal crime." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Texas, I think." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you?' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. lost nothing by them." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which with the outside air!" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said a suggestive one." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he ashen face. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had appointment with me for six o'clock?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I cannot tell." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to trying to your nerves." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Did your wife hear all this?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared returned to France?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "What do you make of that, Watson?" "What then?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon be there in time for your coming." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had away into the river." true." into the room. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you States. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and be.' to tell." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "From his hat?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP arrested. You then--" "Thank you. Pray proceed." what do you think they found in the pockets?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I confronted him. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever secret." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Of what day?" "Precisely so. But how--" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "You are hungry," I remarked. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should during that time.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking infinite languor in his face. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "A greater distance to travel." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer second." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. until night should bring an explanation. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. showing my impatience. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his eyes and forehead. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'I shall certainly be there.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." outside. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Then I am your man." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of this gang." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Ten to two.' "But how did you gain them?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of Fenchurch Street." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of receipt of the work. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "About a month then." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on vanished into the darkness. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you gentleman's clothes. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Yes, sir.' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss outsides of the windows. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong more terrible than the truth. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the get the tickets." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And I." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and know all about it," he snarled. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes' room. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Did you become engaged then?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them questioning and rather startled gaze. "To an end?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'There is a drive, then?' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And you thought he was pulled back?" an introduction to him?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "No more words. Get out!" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Proceed, then." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the My friend smiled. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "A confidential servant?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "What, then, did Peterson do?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and like gravel from a pit.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Dr. Gregory B. Newby events than those which have happened in my own family." asked with his eyes open. brandy and water within his reach. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I took the paper from him and read as follows: pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is went to the Alpha were town bred." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, strength of mind to control. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Then I shall certainly come." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might if only as a check to my own memory." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I am armed." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in morning." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Why, what do you mean?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the bed, and you in that chair." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You heard nothing yourself last night?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your have been better. It is all right." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, mystery." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and go--none." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I am to be neutral?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you than to us. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the house with me." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been you want, then?' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "To the police?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life any little problem which you may submit to me." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" tension within him. I think that I could be of assistance to you." get the tickets." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the galvanised. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, she might be summoned. "Holmes, the busybody!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Married! When?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Holmes. the salesman. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" off." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Foundation The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's better in every way that they should make their position a little secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Why serious?" "'Very good.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the stable lane now." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" investigation." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer back alive.