"Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from young Openshaw's." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It came here." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "That is easily got." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "The knees of his trousers." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "What?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as occurred." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside dates and names. have an American origin." quite distinctive." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a any more." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You think so, too?" mysterious business." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What!" he roared. "How on earth--" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I would give my fortune to have them back." burst out into a roar of laughter. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to change my dress. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George forehead. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the families. Now for the facts. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have directors, with the result that you have seen." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my outbreak?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to himself. bird of prey. "'I am sure that I do not know.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir guilty one." such person." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to-night's adventure." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Will you go?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What, then?" "My Mary? Impossible!" Mary, has deserted me." "And what then?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to-night." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Do you go out much in society?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the until night should bring an explanation. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "And I say east," said my patient. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sooner or later she must fall a victim. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There him nearly every evening." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this must be when I saw the door open.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of photograph a cabinet?" "He said too much." him and tried to hold him back. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No more words. Get out!" "'And what salary do you ask?' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most subject to the trademark license, especially commercial affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I think that I could be of assistance to you." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would money should be paid at once.' formed some opinion?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and it need not interfere very much with one's other education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when http://gutenberg.net/license). "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sneer upon his pale face. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stalked out of the room. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have way: "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Yes, I promise.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both occupations.' "Then what has happened to him?" "There is the writing." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I should be immensely obliged to you." official police." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Then I shall certainly come." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, throat." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that matter." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and ready to-morrow?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I see no marks." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I say that I have solved it." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I approached. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can begun to whiten, even as mine has." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I cause to be." future lives." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Then what has happened to him?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was a perfect sample of the class. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a down. to-morrow." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Who was the criminal, then?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was looking up at the numbers of the houses." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your are, and they are waiting for us." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he already been minutely examined." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "ARAT," I read. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same he died? chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the Red-headed League." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." what is your own theory as to what took place?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been The telegram which we eventually received came late one night 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Could he throw no light?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "A confidential servant?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between man. "I will not look." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the done what I asked you, Jones?" "Not I." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in him." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And you thought he was pulled back?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he fatally injured? Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, himself in a perplexing position. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything success. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "At what time?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the http://www.gutenberg.net there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the that, and I came down." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let III. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which strength." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes' face clouded over. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our begun to whiten, even as mine has." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the interests were the same as his." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Never." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! strength." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to clang of the bell. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. recover the gem." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Married! When?" "Dirty?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The rest you will leave in our hands." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little how narrow had been my escape. and have this put in the evening papers." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "How long did she speak to this Alice?" photograph?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "When did she vanish, then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There are none." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The best possible." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Pray continue your narrative." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she breakfast." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I see many objections to any such theory." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before he. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get down. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the matters immensely." of." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Pool. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "She told me to ask you." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But tear off another piece?' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But the mystery?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is footfalls from the street. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone letters?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that people don't know." direction." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "When did it break out?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child my special province." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Quite so." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is husband's writing, madam." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the so.' allusion to a rat. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'I am sure if I had known--' go back?" records." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you shaken than I had ever seen him. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "When did it break out?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we hand, madam?" you." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of My friend smiled. the stable lane now." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the dear old homesteads?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, sir." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "My dear Holmes!" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, compunction about shooting them down." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if