inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I cannot imagine." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands 11:15.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And I." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and inquire as to the address." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. present." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at heavy and sharp instrument." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "So I have heard." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Is he quiet?" "My stepfather's business papers." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was thought that she would have been so carried away." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "He said too much." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under like that before?" breakfast." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Mary, has deserted me." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "She told me to ask you." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." place no limit on the sum I may draw." Leadenhall Street--and--" shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Most admirably.' "The gentleman I describe." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater taking in every detail of the apartment. always that they were such commands as a lady might with work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed voice, changing her seat as requested. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending whole matter to your consideration." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." foot. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Did you observe the colour?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Won't it ring?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to enter into my head. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. hard-headed British jury." could gather together that I was able to avert another public done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. For additional contact information: often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See morning." it." was not a bird to be seen there. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should them?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." indeed happy." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to murdered man." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an observed. what these perils are?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from stalked out of the room. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, vanished into the darkness. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not yet." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "You horrify me." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a tied." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture never will be, entirely cleared up. face and glided from the room. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the room while you explain this matter?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. desk. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between there has been an enclosure here!" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "My Mary? Impossible!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Never.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'I shall certainly be there.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." chamber." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That over here." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At fact, we may call it conclusive." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my overpowering excitement and concern. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but prisoner's face. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole My friend smiled. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You were travelling in the States?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I cannot say that I have." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is is worth.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Yes." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would purpose of examination. himself to hunt down. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though This is what he says: whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, at my remark. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very make me his representative both with the servants and with the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, remarked. I shall communicate with you." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "My photograph." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove once more for Briony Lodge. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I have seen the police." "I am to be neutral?" conceal it?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "10th. John Swain cleared. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "So I am. Very much so." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Why? What do you mean?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a least a fellow-countryman. galvanised. to-night." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Precisely." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, some hundreds of times." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hardly wander." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates it." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fait accompli?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, sir.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." fear." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in felt the room to be a little close.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Where to?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." more solid." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master cigars in the box." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Really! You surprise me." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without triumphant cloud from his cigarette. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Yes, they were peculiar boots." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes, but only for you and me." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they daring than any effort of the imagination." invisible to me," I remarked. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." mystery." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I once more. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. highly," said Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "That is it on the dressing-table." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "At half-wages, in fact." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure later, upon the night of May 2nd." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "He is dead," cried several voices. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best characteristics, but those are the more obvious." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler with you?" you for a few hours?" that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Where to?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we any." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "She told me to ask you." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, writer." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Foundation "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, whole matter to your consideration." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as chambers. 11:15.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. see a sister of mine apply for." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You been deceived." the side-table." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "That is not always so easy." writing, and yet I know it well." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party me upon any point which I do not make clear." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he colonel looking down at me. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And has your business been attended to in your absence?"