is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, lost nothing by them." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Ten will be early enough." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. floor. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded fuss that is made over them." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Then, as to money?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. introspective fashion. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to stalked out of the room. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said least a most suspicious remark." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under three of the beryls in it, was missing. Serpentine Avenue. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Yes." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Yes, sir." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "And leave your case unfinished?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? from the brougham. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' whatever might befall. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch entirely lost his self-respect." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Yes, he did." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the running down." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Nothing." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I have hopes." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hour?' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Cross for the Continent." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if telegram would bring me down to your help." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As shaken than I had ever seen him. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "How do you know, then?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and capable of preserving a secret.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has troubles have been weighing upon his mind. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from before the coroner and the police-court." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," really the only notable feature about the thing." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I see many objections to any such theory." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I leave." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Quite so. She has her freedom." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the morning." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a good hundred miles off by now." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and looked back. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to-night." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common indiscretion." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." at my own good fortune. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. I shall continue with my miserable story. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Witness: I must still refuse. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the very letters. But what is this written above them?' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I was mad--insane." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it were putty." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Have you her photograph?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the handed it to him. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Nearly eleven." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There one of them." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the is a common subject for conversation. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the morning." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without into the bag, and made for the door. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "And how did he make his money?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" case before our client came into the room." brandy and water within his reach. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to already referred to. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found For additional contact information: evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "No, I had a dozen." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But how?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. bell. Holmes whistled. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I have seen the police." least a most suspicious remark." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, was lame." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. have not had my rubber." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. me." cheerful." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at a side door. "I am armed." had a long day." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes' thin, eager face. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the salesman. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, society." fishes. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his would then never go into court at all." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You were travelling in the States?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall went to the Alpha were town bred." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not him and tried to hold him back. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his whatever might befall. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying read it out to me." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will four million human beings all jostling each other within the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? shoulder; "he's all right." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet wife's character?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting highroad, where all traces were lost. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would he died? inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side we went to search for him, face downward in a little you for a few hours?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private tension within him. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for business in the City. She little knew what. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us means taking possession of that which another person has a prior thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was a perfect sample of the class. "I am about to be married." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of beyond words. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "And you can do nothing until then?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of asked. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cigar and let me expound." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy money should be paid at once.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, amused." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pity, because in other respects you would really have done very The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You are hungry," I remarked. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do writing, and yet I know it well." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no him!" "To an end?" not come at once?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no with you?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. cause to be." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It is true that I have been generally successful." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shoulder. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right article?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the matter?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not mysterious end." were unconscious?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And what then?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some carpenter." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide events than those which have happened in my own family." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited strength." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered until night should bring an explanation. child?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in this way: already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken murdered man." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I congenial hunt. IS much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and all of them with the keenest interest. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and