I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bearing upon the case." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Was there a secret marriage?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four them?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of your young ladies.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "By all means." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to leaning back in his chair. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "But what will you do?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the driver. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, all." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "And how have you succeeded?" through." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was on in his house." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "My opinion is in no way altered." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an read over the extraordinary announcement. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the promised to bring home. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Where did you address your letters, then?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident without a word or a look. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove people in all walks of life. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then straighten it?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Will you bet, then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "So I am. Very much so." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it with his own hands." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle upon the white wrist. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions relief. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And Miss Sutherland?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the window, rose as we entered. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Yes, that is the Crown." wedding?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any paper in the air. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His him to be an active member of the medical profession." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Thank you. Pray proceed." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "There is the writing." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "He said too much." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Get out!" said he. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have not interfere, come what may. You understand?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as he remarks, very much against the son." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "In answer to an advertisement." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "By train from Waterloo." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the think that any burglar could have done. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that other means.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "BALLARAT." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then I can wait in the next room." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every unprofitable." Holmes' room. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And I." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with her." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" tension within him. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. place no limit on the sum I may draw." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old lumber-room." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not for securing the situation." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as morning." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, father's place of business?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "No, I am descending." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, were wasted." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "They are typewritten," I remarked. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge been." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I reach." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "That is possible." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'Where to?' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and a shock of very red hair. problems help me to do so." fear." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you which it had come upon my father." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story fled together." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they forebodings. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which business in the City. She little knew what. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated any more." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest nothing of it?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'I shall certainly be there.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little begin with, and I had not got mine yet." reach." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may other means.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Stolen!' he cried. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to me. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that threaten you." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Literary Archive Foundation "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master suspect him." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Not yet." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: desk. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in from you?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional over here." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. have got?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away weary and pale-looking. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "She told me to ask you." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a look upon these things in a different way." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Who was the criminal, then?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'I have heard so.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." handed it to him. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was orange pips. questioning and rather startled gaze. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and despaired of." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, gigantic client. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the lectures into a series of tales." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the station." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said residence of the great financier. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from me." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Pray let us have it, for all that." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted clang of the bell. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Texas, I think." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I should wish to." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "No, I am descending." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "The Cedars?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the address that was given us in the advertisement. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, a monotonous occupation." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his charge against him will break down." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, advice." more terrible than the truth. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "No." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "On Monday." the driver. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the driver. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it