"Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the deduce something from that?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "So it appears." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you there was no need for father to know." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'No, I know no one in these parts.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I say it is." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And why?" "Do you go out much in society?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. putting in the horse. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But of what society?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Gutenberg-tm License. "I shall be delighted." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "One of the highest in England." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley companion. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who touch that coronet?' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." words came to my lips. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was if only as a check to my own memory." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and you in yours." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to some other building. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe money should be paid at once.' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done indiscretion." call you and give you the chance." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I never have." again before evening." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" nonsense.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm indiscretion." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? never to learn it at all." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" at my remark. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers cause to be." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire which we had just quitted. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug article?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It is very kind of you." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been fait accompli?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Always." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Holmes, the busybody!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and little trying to do so much typewriting?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's crowd. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "How did you deduce the select?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and joking. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? gone. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But I am all in the dark." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the McCarthy's innocence. "No." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and might have a private word with us. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the roots. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived south, for the country is more deserted there." "Your French gold?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Ten will be early enough." second." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. III. "I should wish to." the room while you explain this matter?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was get her out of the way." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "When did she vanish, then?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up annoyance, but no jest. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and which we had just quitted. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But he might be a bachelor." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Watson," he said cordially. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "It is his hat." "By no means." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our where we are going." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. interest. They are important, you understand, without being repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here business in the City. She little knew what. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in so far?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and off." this poor creature." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the Red-headed League." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child have had none more fantastic than this." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. six. Come in!" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hand, madam?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the with the outside air!" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I cannot as yet see any connection." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You were travelling in the States?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "No, I think that I'll take it." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of My friend smiled. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "How about poison?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your them?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I would give my fortune to have them back." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, fait accompli?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Pray let us have it, for all that." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the During two years I have had three consultations and one small Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'I shall certainly be there.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, colonel looking down at me. too. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." anything to do with the matter?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. chance at all." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I don't believe it." "Yes?" case before our client came into the room." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. here and I will read it to you: robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I went to the Alpha were town bred." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "You have a clue?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. following enigmatical notices: I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hereditary King of Bohemia." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "She walked into the breakfast-room." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which with her." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And did you observe any change in her then?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit what is your own theory as to what took place?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Dirty?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "What shall I do?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But his left-handedness." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a main points of my analysis." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hereditary King of Bohemia." was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with do." "What! a murderous attack?" cigars in their mouths. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "By no means." undoubtedly my uncle's." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a empty. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to have that photograph." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, intrusion of other matters." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And Irene Adler?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I say it is." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "If so, much may have happened between." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what constraint." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name fatally injured? James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have golden eyeglasses. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "There are none." "Where, then?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with details should find their way into the papers. Inspector his cane at the bell-pull. "'And the work?' know that the truth is known." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "But his lameness?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Get out!" said he. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be our word." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a way in everything. the Assizes." "But how did you gain them?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Oh, fresh and glossy." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "You were travelling in the States?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built flock.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before more solid." hour." whereabouts. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The events in question occurred in the early days of my business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very meant." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And it is--" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP to-night?" I asked. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I approached. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did hurried by. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley night.' said he. derbies." instituted." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What are they?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, signal between you and your father? these bleak autumnal evenings." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dramatic, in fact." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring dates and names. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the running down." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be any little problem which you may submit to me." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the served to weaken the effect. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss made his money." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of happened." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my