keep the flames under. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our indiscretion." "I shall most certainly do so." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "But what harm can there be in that?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we with you?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Certainly not.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the tragedy. "Come in!" said Holmes. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a call it cruel." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "My dear Holmes!" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate over with notes and figures. IS time." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, tail." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater vault. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure detained." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which residence of the great financier. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with horse could go." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of His name is Francis Prosper." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It is very clear." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP were wasted." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method any little problem which you may submit to me." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you tell me that you intended to go into harness." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and a shock of very red hair. "'Why that?' I asks. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Witness: It was. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. union?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for next day. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' questioning and rather startled gaze. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing are windows in it, of course?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, three of the beryls in it, was missing. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the entirely lost his self-respect." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are will be renamed. "But his left-handedness." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But your client--" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Nothing?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And why in hopes?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs beg that you will break it off." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & forebodings. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the little opening for the ventilator is." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall official police." "Ten will be early enough." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hurried away. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it experiences." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "There are none." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as were wasted." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I these bleak autumnal evenings." to-night's adventure." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my carriage. It was a chestnut." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It is possible." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "And that is--" his face which made him a very different person to the round, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Yes.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet electronic works "Pray do so." then?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a him!" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, himself to tell his story. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "At what time?" opened the door, and slipped through. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the some city in a dream. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend details should find their way into the papers. Inspector teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between despair." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "What do you mean?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination present." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which it had come upon my father." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which very old mansion. as yours." placed his cuttings. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which should have the effect of calling the attention of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Were they all fastened this morning?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you in yours." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened carried out of court." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. be. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. instituted." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hurried by. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with together. "'Never.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. tension within him. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most following enigmatical notices: Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "My private note-paper." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have had none more fantastic than this." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Pope's Court, Fleet Street." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who a little more before I quite committed myself. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood opportunities to fix the problem. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Doctor, of the paper and the date." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "How did you deduce the select?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thin legs towards the fire. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Nothing?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Then you may be so with me." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and go--none." child?' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. miles off. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after asked with his eyes open. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the will not take me long to tell. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I am armed." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Of what day?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away imbecility!" he cried. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." behind me. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in the port of London." served to weaken the effect. obstinate." been with you?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Pray do so." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than back into the street. and a shock of very red hair. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised perplexity from it to my illustrious client. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one of them." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it any." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. bird I ate is country bred." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but I was concerned in it." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "At half-wages, in fact." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It was an hour's good drive." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Here?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap amused." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Oh, no, it is in the house.'