gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with paper in the air. "And leave your case unfinished?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting means taking possession of that which another person has a prior what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high troubles have been weighing upon his mind. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the coronet in his hands?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began fattened it expressly for you.' "This concluded the examination of the witness." of them has the shutters up.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and new duties?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his weary and pale-looking. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that, and I came down." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the devil!" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Then the page we have seen--" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'About the same.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." tightly behind him. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a awkward doing business with an alias." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried through." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yes, I have one waiting." "It is possible." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and grasp, he hurried from the room. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to like gravel from a pit.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will over part of the map. "What do you read?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to talk it over. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Texas, I think." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have leaning back in his chair. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was shining brightly. "So I heard. You have him here?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As a room. woman." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be nonsense.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a bare slabs of marble. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I II. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Entirely." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Thank you. And your address?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in business matters.' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, get her out of the way." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "About a month then." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer approach us with offers to donate. "Not him." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "What are they?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "May I see it?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a just called myself is not exactly my own." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared village inn over there?" been deceived." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the nursery. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and shall probably return to London by the evening train." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Is he quiet?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely vague figure huddled up in the darkness. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by that the gas is not laid on in his house?" paper in the air. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many father's young wife. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn writer." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a monotonous occupation." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six electronic works things are very often connected not with the larger but with the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me writers could invent nothing more crude." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "We must have a cab." out of this horrible affair." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "How did you deduce the select?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very him to be an active member of the medical profession." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "No." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's conversation I have gathered that they have been married about charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "And how did he make his money?" tear off another piece?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Tell me all about it,' said I. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in definite end. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "By no means." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and hand, madam?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Street. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone eat it." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." flock.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have not within a twentieth part of the market price." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And you can do nothing until then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "You forget that I know nothing about it." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Yes, the wine-cellar." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a photograph a cabinet?" "Really! You surprise me." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." his huge brown hands. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wedding?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes' room. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I think that I could be of assistance to you." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to have been novel and of interest." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "To the police?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my distance from the station, and there we found the young lady leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then, how do you know?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. everything which you would wish to know." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. long narrative. green of the new foliage. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question closing the door. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "And what then?" again before evening." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And I say east," said my patient. to surprise her." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Yes, sir.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of indiscretion." be best to do. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I am armed." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "By no means." that, and I came down." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, all." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what public press." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was his face. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might your equipment. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that tapping his fingers upon the table. pierced for earrings?" weapon." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to his chemical studies. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front dead, shall be safe with us." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, flock.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The rest you will leave in our hands." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, detective. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the friend's singular character. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to chill to my heart. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" would apply.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one tapping his fingers upon the table. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his