the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and wait." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a good hundred miles off by now." could gather together that I was able to avert another public and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You saw the ventilator, too?" the side-table." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Most admirably.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "My stepfather's business papers." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. before, for it was considerably after midnight. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ventilator." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Have you good authority for what you say?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that row." lamp in his hand. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof me. You must get home instantly and act." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair outside." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. call the police, let the police find what they can.' against a man in the prime of life?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You are all wrong." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the very morning of the wedding." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is so far?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had delighted to hear it," he said. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing colonel looking down at me. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. fishes. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited my former friend and companion. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Was there a secret marriage?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But what is it you wish?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite house for five minutes.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" your most interesting statement." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went writers could invent nothing more crude." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my such attractions and accomplishments?' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, or in danger--" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he little trying to do so much typewriting?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and advice." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced weigh very heavily upon my conscience." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, himself to hunt down. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And who is her maid?" observed. society." always that they were such commands as a lady might with disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Nothing?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. astonishment. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town beg that you will break it off." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My last client of the sort was a king." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Stolen!' he cried. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than families. Now for the facts. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ready to-morrow?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at cheerful." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man our word." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, politicians who had been sent down from the North. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "What then?" happened." "By train from Waterloo." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy your billet.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes, that is the Crown." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in laugh and put his lips to my ear. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I nodded to show that I had heard. lamp. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It is to him that this trophy belongs." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You have but to name it." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body made his money." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found rat could hardly pass through." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied of campaign. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel some city in a dream. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." a good hundred miles off by now." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Deserted you?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of down. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not promised to bring home. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Not yet." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my key turn in the lock." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his over part of the map. "What do you read?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Where, then?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice floor. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I beg pardon." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his License. You must require such a user to return or sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white delirious. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "My last client of the sort was a king." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "On the contrary, this is the right side." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And your mother is alive?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no conclusions. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Yes." "And I." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea You want to know what became of those geese?" "Yes, all." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But how?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm for the market.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "On Monday." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced late." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, discontent upon his features. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable easy-going way." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "What shall I do?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across happened." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and I shall be with you presently." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an should be so warm over such a trifle." "At half-wages, in fact." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. pound a week." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and all of them with the keenest interest. congratulate you again." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my main points of my analysis." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that you wished to speak to me?' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I am armed." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In which, sir?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bare slabs of marble. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if roused himself from his reverie. "I cannot imagine." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the coronet at all injured?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial case before our client came into the room." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "What! Had he lost his wife?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora is," said he presently: and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the married her." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it business matters.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I cannot think." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these train from Paddington which would bring you there at about again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally whatever might befall. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. out." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sparkled upon his finger. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go any little problem which you may submit to me." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to-night?' infinite languor in his face. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that