swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with presented more singular features than that which was associated business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, never came back." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the matter." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, within hail.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With enter into my head. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was breakfast." "Stoke Moran?" said he. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Lee, in the county of Kent." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But his left-handedness." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known colour had been driven from his face. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Thank you. And your address?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Mary, has deserted me." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day records." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, carried out of court." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my heavy and sharp instrument." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Was the window open?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the running down." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to have been novel and of interest." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" recover the gem." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of that threaten you." "Certainly, madam." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes, at the mines." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered charged with?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Very. But will he see it?" "He might." "In San Francisco, a year ago." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would assist you in forming an opinion." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of so far?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use public press." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And the murderer?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to change my dress. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "My dear Holmes!" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Sholtos." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his again." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical see a sister of mine apply for." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." as the one I chose?' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my client, rising. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "What do you mean?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I guessed as much." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward was it brought him the coronet? and prosperity to your house. Good-night." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up nothing with him." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Yes, sir.' companion. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. miles off. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again any." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs upon an income of about 60 pounds." business." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I say that I have solved it." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant must compliment you." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of entirely lost his self-respect." fait accompli?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any you came in." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sufficient punishment." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Whose house is it?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Eyford at 11:15.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not danger is over." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' conceal it?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my little problems." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cheerful." have I gained?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not brain must have something in it." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with awaited us upon the table. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But his lameness?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "When did she vanish, then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your believe that I should never have any practice at all. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some pierced for earrings?" The King stared at him in amazement. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the on in his house." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an showing my impatience. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." most interesting one." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that threaten you." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Not in the least." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hurried by. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the date of his supposed suicide." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Dr. Becher's." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." you for a few hours?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and ordinary clothes on?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "No." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "If so, much may have happened between." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until said he, "my real name is James Ryder." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I should be immensely obliged to you." crime." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even danger is over." "Yes, he did." was shining brightly. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And who is her maid?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of never will be, entirely cleared up. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to or other trace. But how on earth--" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "How can you tell that?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if where Mr. Fordham shows you.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "So I am. Very much so." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "There is the writing." present." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I was sure that I might rely on you." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the standing smiling on the door-step. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at photograph?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Certainly." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital delighted to hear it," he said. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round respectable self." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the very morning of the wedding." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Yes, sir.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her a monotonous occupation." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, nonsense.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty evidence," I remarked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "They are typewritten," I remarked. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Of what?" writers could invent nothing more crude." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the have an American origin." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "That is unusual in a young girl." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it closely." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Nothing?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, will take you up to see the machine.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Where, indeed?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" telegram would bring me down to your help." that he has suffered." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Come in!" said Holmes. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the http://gutenberg.net/license). Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this His name is Francis Prosper." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yesterday." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was helping a boy to put up the shutters. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea ordinary clothes on?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This