heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the enough to aid us in our search." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the seven miles from Eyford Station.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. call you and give you the chance." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "She showed me, as I told you she would." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My begin with, and I had not got mine yet." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Yes, I have one waiting." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "My dear Holmes!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And how have you succeeded?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "If so, much may have happened between." could go. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I am following you closely," I answered. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to-night." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I fear not." existence." again." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. His smile broadened. shoulder. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally evidence," I remarked. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian official police." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But I am all in the dark." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It is his hat." better grown goose." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which we had just quitted. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door affair. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." entirely lost his self-respect." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then I am your man." help us in this matter." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an test if we have an answer to our advertisement." me where it went to?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "No, my brougham is waiting." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "But your client--" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to me. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very McCarthy." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her never came back." "My photograph." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "What are they?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "The doctor?" easy-going way." written, and locked the door of the office after me. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice DAMAGE. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy was a perfect sample of the class. "Stoke Moran?" said he. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, enter Dr. Roylott's room." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my shall use the carriage to-night." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "And for present expenses?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. but preventing her from injuring another. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Holmes." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shaken than I had ever seen him. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty formed some opinion?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We too. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the face and glided from the room. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Do you know him?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Never." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as room had already been engaged for us. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he dates and names. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'It is locked up,' I answered. "And you don't know his address?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the inquest, and which are worth considering." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for tightly behind him. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you want, then?' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to that open window." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes, the wine-cellar." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I nodded again. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I in the dead of the night?' "Then, as to money?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we me. You must get home instantly and act." the dangers which encompass me." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. national property. I was determined that the law should have its human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "What?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation several quiet little villages up there." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are morning." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense strange features which were associated with the two crimes which which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sufficient punishment." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, affection." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout before, for it was considerably after midnight. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've a very grave face. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "But his left-handedness." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the is a common subject for conversation. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Here?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "And what did you learn from him?" the roots. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It disturbance in my wife." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "When did it break out?" least a most suspicious remark." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after recover the gem." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to tell." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California eavesdroppers?' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their himself to tell his story. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It must be recovered." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "9th. McCauley cleared. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Do you receive much company?" he asked. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Was your sister dressed?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. this poor creature." becomes even more simple." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which affair. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Pray do so." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "The rest you will leave in our hands." the Red-headed League." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of there was no need for father to know." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom my special province." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Yes." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "At what time?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, leave you to your papers for a little." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile jewels which you have stolen?' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of Mr. Rucastle's." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project II. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Where is it, then?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It was." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some distinguish the words: gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the ceiling. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our ready to-morrow?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." occupations.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps were wasted." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of we went to search for him, face downward in a little utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray enough to aid us in our search." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But who is he?" "And the murderer?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for go from here to the Strand." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "To an English lawyer named Norton." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me thirty. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my