breakfast?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his becomes even more simple." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's compunction about shooting them down." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I cannot tell." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the coronet in his hands?" "Murdered?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may searched, without anything being found which could incriminate somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Holmes." "'I am sure that I do not know.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'I shall certainly be there.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room from the brougham. the stable lane now." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "When did it break out?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You have the photograph?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and all of them with the keenest interest. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little some terrible trap for her." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is clanging. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "If I can be of use." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "No. What a strange idea!" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the station." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss that he has suffered." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm which was all perfectly true. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend reach." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Was the window open?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Will you go?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, McCarthy." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for been with you?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Very murderous indeed." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I photograph?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Do you go out much in society?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Surrey." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "An enemy?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Perfectly so." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. second." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It breakfast?" know what is wrong with it.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the amused." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and breakfast?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, never came back." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Eh? What was that?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do said I. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Not social, then?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my me what he had done with the three missing stones. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Just look it up, then." invisible to me," I remarked. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There back alive. and effective." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't heavily into it. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the date of his supposed suicide." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This colonel looking down at me. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "You think so, too?" "A greater distance to travel." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first key of the affair now." "A greater distance to travel." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a face and glided from the room. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I have a cab outside." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you away to you." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately not come at once?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "An enemy?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Yes, I promise.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "My Mary? Impossible!" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "There are none." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an purpose of examination. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the matter?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And the cigar-holder?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun matters immensely." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may His name is Francis Prosper." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It must be recovered." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his huge brown hands. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is half-past ten now." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "But his left-handedness." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It is solved." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some me." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached outside." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make it." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to change my dress. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You forget that I know nothing about it." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of tell me that you intended to go into harness." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my friend's incisive reasoning. "What will you say?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. points to suicide?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax DAMAGE. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose used to be." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three goes." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that you saw all that I did." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, but China?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Ample." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their unprofitable." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No good news?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a lectures into a series of tales." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of a light. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran there in twenty minutes." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to II. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And I." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Just look it up, then." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project new duties?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so had this final quarrel? which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and whereabouts. "In which, sir?" "At the wedding breakfast." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous crime. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of bedroom door." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Pool. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you." "I have solved it." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the house with me." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the of the vacancies.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every had died away into the silence from which it rose. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have shall not find me ungrateful." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes, from Horsham." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we seen the man in the road." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "In what way?" asked Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any upon the shelf for the interim." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a best detective that ever lived. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I have my revolver," said I. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And I to find an enemy." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Certainly." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster himself in a perplexing position. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as desk. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'About the same.' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for