family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had instincts rose up against that laugh. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are are, and they are waiting for us." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an becomes even more simple." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with before the coroner and the police-court." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the husband's writing, madam." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on your sleep?' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was you came in." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than opened the door, and slipped through. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in will be renamed. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "She walked into the breakfast-room." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called she to prove their authenticity?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety call for it in person on Monday morning.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'It is locked up,' I answered. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. o'clock is it?" "Not him." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his people don't know." the best of training." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "That was it, sir." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "9th. McCauley cleared. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "In what way?" asked Holmes. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward good-night and bustled off upon her way. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the from you?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious delirious. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "That's no good." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and put his glass in his pocket. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and row." "Is he quiet?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes through." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've awkward doing business with an alias." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." never came back." national property. I was determined that the law should have its was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What of the rat, then?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the were new raised from a basin. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bird I ate is country bred." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it there when the Rucastles went away." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the electronic works "That is easily got." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. interest. They are important, you understand, without being a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Quite sure, dad.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Was your sister dressed?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "How about poison?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to colonel looking down at me. orange pips. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one easy-going way." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who be.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have one." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I approached. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive fashion which was peculiar to him. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to-night." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Absolutely none." do.' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. floor. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton which I could not give. He asked for Alice. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to a more successful conclusion." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, rooms." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire point our research must commence, and we will begin it by puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Surrey." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. presented more singular features than that which was associated very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had imbecility!" he cried. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So corner of the building. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he meant it for the best. "Where, then, is my wife?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes like gravel from a pit.' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "None." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had shaken than I had ever seen him. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." as he folded up the epistle. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he over with notes and figures. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Frequently." "Where did you address your letters, then?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been on in his house." other, as fresh and trim as possible. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It is true that I have been generally successful." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "You have but to name it." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "When did it break out?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you soul! here is her carriage at the door." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the devil!" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Nothing." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "The gentleman I describe." there!' III. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen delighted to hear it," he said. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." letters?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his individual and becomes the badge of a society." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Is he quiet?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What then?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "And you thought he was pulled back?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence conceal it?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are had picked up in the wood. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mystery!" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' outside." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And I." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He ordinary clothes on?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. within hail.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into had formerly been in part my own. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to you." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. morning." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It is half-past ten now." "He disappeared so suddenly." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." digesting their breakfasts at home." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But it has twice been burgled." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these comes from the middle window." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think third from London." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether over his head with a sweet womanly caress. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's chance at all." your Highness to the police-station?" "An accident, I presume?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge outsides of the windows. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And how did you verify them?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Then I do not see the point." "It came here." the devil!" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Miss Holder?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was a lad." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of system of imprisonment?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Oh, no.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. out of this horrible affair." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not present." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you child?' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as voice. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you 1.F. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I saw her in conversation with her maid." charge against him will break down." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke side. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It missed him, then?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into written, and locked the door of the office after me. go from here to the Strand." "No." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of see me here to avoid scandal." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had papers." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel forebodings. opportunities to fix the problem. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ran thus: "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him