hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What! Had he lost his wife?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of Mr. Rucastle's." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, I had a dozen." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You have a clue?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that begun to whiten, even as mine has." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some III. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Not in the least." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door emerged. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I will, Miss Turner." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in spark where all is dark to me." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which eavesdroppers?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten characteristics, but those are the more obvious." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence read over the extraordinary announcement. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. again on its way. Foundation figure." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Where is it, then?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and inquire as to the address." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "My private note-paper." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. photograph?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran DISSOLVED. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his acquaintance?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and good for you to do.' as he folded up the epistle. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Do you know him?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "You have compromised yourself seriously." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I was afraid that you were engaged." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in you give your casting vote to?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" there has been an enclosure here!" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That was it, sir." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his knees, staring into the fire. said he at last. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest room?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Where did you address your letters, then?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's disturbance in my wife." wedding?" "Ten will be early enough." do.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "If so, much may have happened between." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I was afraid that you were engaged." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and effective." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have walking." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the bottom.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Certainly,' I answered. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I I took the paper from him and read as follows: possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Perfectly so." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. fashion which was peculiar to him. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Why? What do you mean?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining absolutely follow my advice in every respect." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, be best to do. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And now?" I asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "And how?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to will he say when he returns?" memory. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Yes." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I fear not." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. there when the Rucastles went away." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, tear off another piece?' skylight. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety 11:15.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her way in." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added views." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bachelor.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a present." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years John Swain, of St. Augustine. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of yards of it?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Nothing?" "Pray do so." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and stammered. following enigmatical notices: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. excitement. "How about poison?" your co-operation." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Pray continue your narrative." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the loss of it. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem been able to understand it, in a very few words. there in twenty minutes." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual you for a few hours?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And is that all?" "I will do it." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards know what is wrong with it.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had retorted upon me, and I on you." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Very truly yours, "So I have heard." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then the page we have seen--" taking in every detail of the apartment. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the Assizes." held up the lantern and gazed about him. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, fat-encircled eyes. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional speckled band?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "But how could you guess what the motive was?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this been lifted and conveyed somewhere." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Do you know him?" disappearance of the bride.'" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, status with the IRS. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in him." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the despair." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the correct than the official force." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying never will be, entirely cleared up. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without answer." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to at my remark. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; unclasping of his long thin hands. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Which dealer's?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was used.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel it with his own hands." it means?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fish-monger and a tide-waiter." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Dr. Gregory B. Newby occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Why, what do you mean?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he strength." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic You want to know what became of those geese?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and effective." "The knees of his trousers." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a article?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was in a friendly supper." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been pierced for earrings?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low all-comprehensive glances. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed few hundred pounds.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' shoulder; "he's all right." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. British peeress.'" have established a very serious case against the son of the