"No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred legal crime." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to-night?' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "If I can be of use." that you saw all that I did." may never be exposed to such a temptation." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." carried out of court." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "How did you trace it, then?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall strong and stiff." disappearance of the bride.'" "Then the page we have seen--" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "What do you mean?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I am in hopes that she does." whether it answered to the description of any of their thought that she would have been so carried away." gives a meaning to it." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Very much so." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six one's self under obligations.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From photograph?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that delirious. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," placed his cuttings. think that any burglar could have done. "Stolen, then." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." detective. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional one of them." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "No?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the warnings." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "And leave your case unfinished?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting became a certainty. any more." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods congratulate you again." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and 'please.'" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "His face fell immediately. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "What! Had he lost his wife?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Then let me do so?' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it charge against him will break down." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten one which it was hard to resist. the stones. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the Red-headed League." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said bears upon the case?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. character. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his lectures into a series of tales." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who figure." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "By all means." cause to be." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about before, for it was considerably after midnight. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What can it mean?" I gasped. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Miss Holder?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my followed. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way in." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 have established a very serious case against the son of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Yes, sir.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yes, sir." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if night.' said he. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Murdered?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." annoyance, but no jest. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "We were both in the photograph." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." appointment with me for six o'clock?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from if I call to-morrow?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and the church but not where the lady lived." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" whereabouts. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred passage and a tap at the door. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "But his left-handedness." front of me. "'Is purely nominal.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into then?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she straightened it out again. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter crowd. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where way in everything. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, this remarkable episode. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness are, I think, all that we need." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." affection." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we memory. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy opened the door, and slipped through. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, persecution?" all?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Proceed, then." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in skylight. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I promise," said Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty invisible to me," I remarked. is four-and-twenty." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Farm upon the left." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the may have an influence upon European history." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Nothing?" "Not particularly." ordinary clothes on?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wife's character?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then, how do you know?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming tell me that you intended to go into harness." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting shaken than I had ever seen him. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was indeed which he could not unravel. in the port of London." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "What is it, then--a fire?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. pictures, libraries, or plate. thought that she would have been so carried away." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it unprecedented a position." "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the this as likely?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "How many? I don't know." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "To ruin me." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes, the wine-cellar." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at not, dad?" she asked. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I may have an influence upon European history." dead, shall be safe with us." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ran thus: "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the little opening for the ventilator is." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Oh, the cause is excellent!" is so. I know all about McCarthy." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Where could I find him?' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of this gang." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster recall any case within my experience which looked at the first photograph?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and sufficient punishment." "Quite so." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the is," said he presently: "Nothing?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to-night?' get her out of the way." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to-night." 'please.'" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And how did you verify them?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two all-comprehensive glances. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to take care of herself." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "We were both in the photograph." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to-night's adventure." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in my life." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, works. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a his cane at the bell-pull. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fait accompli?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from intrusion of other matters." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after like that before?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable a room. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "One?" it." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which more terrible than the truth. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "A call for help, you thought?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, trifles." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I should wish to." bachelor.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled had this final quarrel? instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the present." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes, certainly." writing, and yet I know it well." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Certainly not.' "What will you do, then?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But how?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to miss it." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bears upon the case?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against opened a pocket-book and took out a note. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. unkempt, staring out at me. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." electronic works black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire