built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Certainly." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's you, my dear young lady?' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I leave." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's said I. be there in time for your coming." third from London." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he writing, and yet I know it well." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No good news?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder asked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Just look it up, then." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might ourselves in the office." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Gutenberg-tm License. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that learned something! Where are the gems?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to me. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes, I have one waiting." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my former friend and companion. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Dr. Becher's." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And how in the world did you find them?" something of him before." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." main points of my analysis." status with the IRS. seven miles from Eyford Station.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "From his hat?" words came to my lips. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the this remarkable episode. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may But Holmes shook his head gravely. hereditary King of Bohemia." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case you understand?" "You are all wrong." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Quite so. She has her freedom." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the so-precious time, but come!' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to have that photograph." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," him to go away.' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Why did you pick him?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "But the mystery?" I. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" indeed happy." three fields round his house, and there he would take his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low neither fascinating nor artistic." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But any." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor will not take me long to tell. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his papers." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me in one or two places in England?' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "What have you to say now?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "By no means." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. into the room. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who call it cruel." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "One?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Texas, I think." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Nothing." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is solved." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "No." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You don't mind breaking the law?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your matter." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age completely overtopped every other consideration that we both firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was long narrative. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst opportunities to fix the problem. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, appeared upon the scene." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person she might be summoned. "My last client of the sort was a king." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I breakfast." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the over with notes and figures. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It certainly sounds feasible." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will again before evening." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Oh, no.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. detective. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute business." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to have that photograph." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public wedding?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to populous neighbourhood." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Do you know him?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have himself. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the child." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "The rest you will leave in our hands." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I fear not." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I approached. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "No good news?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled placed his cuttings. indeed happy." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, It may be so in this case, also." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make speckled band?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Frequently." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two off." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your bare slabs of marble. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bonnet, and went out." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "By no means." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "10th. John Swain cleared. head. So long, then!" "What! Had he lost his wife?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "What have you to say now?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is writers could invent nothing more crude." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five there!' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I fasten all the windows?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the should be so warm over such a trifle." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to his chemical studies. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ordinary clothes on?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What is it?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after instituted." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of evidence," I remarked. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. towards the blaze. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an do." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. said I. "Thank you. And your address?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "To ruin me." lips." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too bill, which interests me deeply." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties might help us?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had it." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but appeal." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You depend upon your compliance." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day annoyance, but no jest. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Who was the criminal, then?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As cigars in the box." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'I have already given you my word.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you putting in the horse. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he fatally injured? go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Street. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "To an English lawyer named Norton." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the was shining brightly. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the suddenly upon us." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Game for a morning drive?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I have solved it." for the market.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to undoubtedly my uncle's." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, or in danger--" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It was." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official