they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is unclasping of his long thin hands. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her despair." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search digesting their breakfasts at home." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my invisible to me," I remarked. chance." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to-night?" I asked. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being like gravel from a pit.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed cheerful." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of Fenchurch Street." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Arthur Conan Doyle "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far depend upon your compliance." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I was concerned in it." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the you." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at flock.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I fear not." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "How are you getting on?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "10th. John Swain cleared. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the province." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whatever might befall. next day. she used." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as the one I chose?' "He said too much." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I have hopes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded this unhappy family?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining know all about it," he snarled. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But you can know nothing of this?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "This photograph!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then helping a boy to put up the shutters. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You don't mind breaking the law?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to salesman. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with promised to bring home. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my whether it answered to the description of any of their "Really! You surprise me." "How are you getting on?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And how?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A for the market.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Did you become engaged then?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." get her out of the way." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Not particularly." "Then he might have called to you?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored problems help me to do so." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Absolutely none." question," said Holmes, smiling. "So I heard. You have him here?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to crowd. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my flock.' through." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of the vacancies.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the will be renamed. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But how?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "And how did he make his money?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the again before evening." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and chill to my heart. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I was concerned in it." "It's nothing of the kind." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the south-west, I see." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "And from a noble client?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I least a fellow-countryman. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Do you go out much in society?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw must compliment you." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last highroad, where all traces were lost. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just be.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you outbreak?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that threaten you." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "And your father? Did you tell him?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have without success. At last the little money which I had saved began 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was one's self under obligations.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to take care of herself." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the bed, and you in that chair." "Pray continue your narrative." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the conduct the inquiry." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "But what is it you wish?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch other means.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Did you become engaged then?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind points to suicide?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a good hundred miles off by now." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "She showed me, as I told you she would." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I telegram would bring me down to your help." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, what do you think they found in the pockets?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his grey eyes. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You promised to bring home. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little was a lad." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, than was visible to me." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the than was visible to me." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have read over the extraordinary announcement. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of Fenchurch Street." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his who was a member of your goose club." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried bird I ate is country bred." whole matter to your consideration." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and all of them with the keenest interest. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their note?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a just called myself is not exactly my own." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been some water from a caraffe. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing advice." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. really the only notable feature about the thing." amused." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My all?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a joking. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "On the contrary, this is the right side." "From his hat?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. seen the man in the road." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search beg that you will break it off." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want his eyes and forehead. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the stones. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I more terrible than the truth. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she three fields round his house, and there he would take his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "What office?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I little trying to do so much typewriting?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set triumphant cloud from his cigarette. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But what will you do?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off purpose equally well?" events, Mr. Windibank!" if only as a check to my own memory." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that