course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to carried out of court." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to forehead. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hour." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been girl said." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had second." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the inner apartment." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But evidence," I remarked. skylight. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford humiliation." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife get her out of the way." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "ARAT," I read. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I approached. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "But you were on a friendly footing?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the miles off. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" photograph a cabinet?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper there has been an enclosure here!" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You have compromised yourself seriously." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Nothing." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: forbidden door. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "And you don't know his address?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily speckled band?" to affect your life." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What, then?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my place no limit on the sum I may draw." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Dr. Gregory B. Newby of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "ARAT," I read. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we me upon any point which I do not make clear." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and your relations to her." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some signal between you and your father? "Ha! you find it so?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I have my revolver," said I. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative returning from some small jollification and was making his way "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." developed." "'Where could I find him?' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that disappearance of the bride.'" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love other means.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Absolutely?" stood on the top of it. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that whereabouts. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for think that he is innocent?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the companion. "And Miss Sutherland?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And you can do nothing until then?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You saw the ventilator, too?" papers on the sundial.'" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Was there a secret marriage?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." one of the states of the Union." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own McCarthy." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." stepfather?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP future lives." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both seem to you to be relevant or not." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "That is easily got." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With me." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the best of training." green of the new foliage. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out as noiselessly as she had come. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I am to be neutral?" your co-operation." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend other means.' "'Entirely.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Your presence might be invaluable." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send politicians who had been sent down from the North. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was have I gained?" "It is his hat." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his me. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and the church but not where the lady lived." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. entirely devoid of interest." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'And what salary do you ask?' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the little opening for the ventilator is." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a my friend's incisive reasoning. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No good news?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' dramatic, in fact." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the loss of it. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would this as likely?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And help." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed written. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "My Mary? Impossible!" "But I am all in the dark." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that ourselves in the office." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and wait." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no status with the IRS. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the there in twenty minutes." horse could go." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is will be renamed. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" formed some opinion?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And when will you call?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and generous with you in money matters.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day whether it answered to the description of any of their you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Yes, but only for you and me." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we happened." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided me. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the cause to be." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I would pay ten." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had she used." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I held the little printed slip to the light. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and a shock of very red hair. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Always." case-book, which he consulted. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I you in your example." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that three fields round his house, and there he would take his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that I am arrested." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Stolen!' he cried. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Yes, I promise.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Holmes rather sternly. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this straightened it out again. photograph?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my husband's writing, madam." "We were both in the photograph." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his indeed happy." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to eavesdroppers?' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the we went to search for him, face downward in a little and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on would then never go into court at all." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up it." "Precisely." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any vague figure huddled up in the darkness. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his