all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Where does the thing come from?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Witness: It was. "It's nothing of the kind." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed wife's character?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for to some other building. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "There are none." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes himself to tell his story. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Is he quiet?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Again Holmes raved in the air. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place had died away into the silence from which it rose. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always goes." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to you." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "What! a murderous attack?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, villagers almost as much as their master. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "What is it, then--a fire?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in said Mr. Holder. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, whether it answered to the description of any of their interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert strength of mind to control. whole matter to your consideration." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in the port of London." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Thank you. And your address?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow believe that I should never have any practice at all. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is a murder, then?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way photograph?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not cause to be." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Dark enough and sinister enough." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as noiselessly as she had come. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" some city in a dream. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his lectures into a series of tales." be sorry for having acted so harshly." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you shall not find me ungrateful." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging certainly not very gracious." brandy and water within his reach. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "He is dead," cried several voices. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my constraint." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, had formerly been in part my own. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a said he. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Witness: It was. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that threaten you." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she was lame." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Entirely." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few which should have the effect of calling the attention of the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Pope's Court. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I would give my fortune to have them back." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his face which made him a very different person to the round, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hereditary King of Bohemia." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "10th. John Swain cleared. Eyford at 11:15.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have accepted such a situation. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. joking. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." really the only notable feature about the thing." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: grasp, he hurried from the room. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And sit in the dark?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the cause to be." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." any little problem which you may submit to me." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote page at http://pglaf.org something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of to have been novel and of interest." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "That you are never beaten." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found there was no need for father to know." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman is entirely a question of barometric pressure." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss had died away into the silence from which it rose. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "At the wedding breakfast." "I think it very unlikely." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help charged with?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the a room. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this have established a very serious case against the son of the "Your presence might be invaluable." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, cost them two and thirty pounds." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the south-west, I see." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all my little problems." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I cannot tell." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but direction." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved voice. evidence," I remarked. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to surprise her." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we had formerly been in part my own. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part infinite languor in his face. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two derbies." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I danger is over." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Here?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do least a most suspicious remark." room. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the with her." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of your young ladies.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hour." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" figure." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "No, I am descending." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "This photograph!" there when the Rucastles went away." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It certainly sounds feasible." opened the door, and slipped through. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless directors have had misgivings upon the subject." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in me what he had done with the three missing stones. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely fluttered off among the others. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Proceed, then." this unhappy family?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "At what time?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. money should be paid at once.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the date of his supposed suicide." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Cross for the Continent." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel formed some opinion?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he subject to the trademark license, especially commercial moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Pool. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and it were putty." seen the man in the road." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the colonel looking down at me. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Precisely so. But how--" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "It is a murder, then?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the in his power. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the will not take me long to tell. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Holmes rather sternly. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Stoke Moran." which we had just quitted. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Indeed! Whose, then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in security.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." whatever might befall. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." legal crime." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in off." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as he folded up the epistle. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You are hungry," I remarked. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT crowd. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls