views." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Won't it ring?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I have my revolver," said I. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, breakfast?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my what I may call a really hard day's work." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the dangers which encompass me." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any burst out into a roar of laughter. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Holmes' face clouded over. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that our word." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed laugh and put his lips to my ear. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on was a perfect sample of the class. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb DAMAGE. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Stolen, then." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of ran thus: in this note: like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to an introduction to him?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "What then?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Who by?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "On Monday." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You think that he is dead?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The doctor?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he stepfather?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. During two years I have had three consultations and one small all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with imbecility!" he cried. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and the colonel ushered me in. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." been deceived." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and trying to your nerves." and no precautions can guard against." to a more successful conclusion." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a locked. Foundation "What do you mean?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see on in his house." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bird I ate is country bred." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to-night?" I asked. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, morning." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each said I. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his eyes and forehead. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." skylight. back into the street. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sneer upon his pale face. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I think it very unlikely." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. served to weaken the effect. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Not social, then?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets late." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a before the coroner and the police-court." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a gigantic client. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has meanly of me." writers could invent nothing more crude." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which I could not give. He asked for Alice. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project stood on the top of it. "'Most admirably.' you." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And leave your case unfinished?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and effective." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was again on its way. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. official police." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in what I may call a really hard day's work." one which it was hard to resist. "But you were on a friendly footing?" stammered. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "The King of Scandinavia." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is paper in the air. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Surrey." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an again, where I was soon asleep. stood on the top of it. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the your most interesting statement." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had if only as a check to my own memory." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Why serious?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, garden below. "In the cells." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." affair. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal disappearance of these gems?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to maiden herself was most instructive." together. "Well." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in my life." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible both be extremely obliged.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our intimate personal affairs in this public manner." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were main points of my analysis." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with her." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "But what is it you wish?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the coronet in his hand?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I see many objections to any such theory." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Dirty?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the is worth.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this get her out of the way." "Very murderous indeed." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it me upon any point which I do not make clear." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of Mr. Rucastle's." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately emerged. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It was." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his business at Coburg Square is serious." "No, but the enclosure is." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, you in your example." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed him and tried to hold him back. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "And leave your case unfinished?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A seven miles from Eyford Station.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Murdered?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my details." "He is dead," cried several voices. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of kind enough to tell me what I should do." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales case-book, which he consulted. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I will get her to show me." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "But what will you do?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the tragedy. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I held the little printed slip to the light. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the running down." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the station." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my back to my heart. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have not had my rubber." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fire. You quite follow me?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Precisely." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared retorted upon me, and I on you." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "To the police?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." was a loud and authoritative tap. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "His face fell immediately. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I say that I have solved it." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' My friend smiled. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. footfalls from the street. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Munro.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master in your London, you will know that the office of the company is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a at once, for I have only half an hour." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and whole matter to your consideration." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right who was a member of your goose club." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my ran thus: my room." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. national property. I was determined that the law should have its without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But not more so than I to find you." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his grey eyes. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood what do you think they found in the pockets?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What have you to say now?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bare slabs of marble. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a during which he might have communicated with his friend the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "In heaven's name, what for?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "And how?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes."