"I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what later, upon the night of May 2nd." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." envelope. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "No good news?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the more solid." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb than was visible to me." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. gentleman's clothes. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Why serious?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us round and wave him away like that.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from nonsense.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said will be renamed. trifles." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Perfectly so." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But his left-handedness." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' guilty parties." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too delirious. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune you." "And on what day did he meet his death?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The help us in this matter." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, said he. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin union?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and one of the states of the Union." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Then the page we have seen--" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with one of the states of the Union." look upon these things in a different way." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes, from Horsham." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "What can you not understand?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with meant it for the best. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Why serious?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between pity, because in other respects you would really have done very were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and feature." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with her." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has system of imprisonment?" "I cannot tell." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be correct than the official force." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" October 9, 1890. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when other means.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four she might be summoned. morning." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It our word." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It is true that I have been generally successful." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Henry Baker is a member." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had distinguish the words: Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just is a common subject for conversation. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to annoyance, but no jest. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, door?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Were they all fastened this morning?" do you make of it all?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social was feeling which was the fattest.' in the hope of finding them." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. article?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "But of what society?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe looking up at the numbers of the houses." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas this unhappy family?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very all-comprehensive glances. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I should like to see him very much." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading stammered. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. distinguish the words: similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "At half-wages, in fact." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a fishes. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the child." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Perfectly so." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Well?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "From his hat?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight minor matters until to-morrow." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are narrative." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bled considerably." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that only touch the interest." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the stable lane now." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "He slept on the premises." tell them apart.' notes," he said. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, should be taken.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for tied." without a word or a look. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is a common subject for conversation. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You are hungry," I remarked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And when will you call?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Here?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a whole matter to your consideration." annoyance, but no jest. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "That is not always so easy." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for have not had my rubber." "To ruin me." "And I say east," said my patient. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'I have already given you my word.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced already referred to. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No, but the enclosure is." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler opportunities to fix the problem. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' she used." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has union?" you." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money should be taken.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sufficient punishment." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows bears upon the case?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known province." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "On your arm?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there there is a decided draught." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls golden eyeglasses. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon my former friend and companion. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I guessed as much." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as 11:15.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its there in twenty minutes." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." careless servant girl?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an is acting for the best. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "How did you trace it, then?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug about. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I think it very unlikely." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the devil!" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hopeless attempt at recovering them." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, official police." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I do." "And why in hopes?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your maid will bring up your coffee." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of dead, shall be safe with us." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have matters immensely." his wife has ceased to love him." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wanted for ourselves." "What are they?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And Irene Adler?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Lestrade of Scotland Yard." just ask you whether you had heard it.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in strength." key turn in the lock." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. brain must have something in it." acted in my house last night?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the locked." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Where could I find him?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and inquire as to the address." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with lamp. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my friend's incisive reasoning. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had this final quarrel? points to suicide?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an go from here to the Strand." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hair?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is mysterious business." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a be there in time for your coming." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may what do you think they found in the pockets?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as felt the room to be a little close.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations planks. 'Is he not a beauty?'