was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been strode off upon his way. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Very truly yours, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he what I may call a really hard day's work." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "By all means." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'There is a drive, then?' see a sister of mine apply for." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Stoke Moran." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for This is what he says: Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was society." next day. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And sit in the dark?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become points to suicide?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Never." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to some other building. bonnet, and went out." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only details." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" fluttered off among the others. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the best of training." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "How on earth--" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I am about to be married." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to giving me time to thank him. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Have you good authority for what you say?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few for the market.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "No, finished." "Yes, at the mines." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I think it very unlikely." invisible to me," I remarked. prisoner's face. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have was not a bird to be seen there. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Nearly eleven." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the letters?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, until night should bring an explanation. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Nothing." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered with you alone." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But she could not love him." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the what do you think they found in the pockets?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not felt?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon even of instruction." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'In my own bureau.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look suddenly upon us." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 1.E.9. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike License. You must require such a user to return or "Just look it up, then." "What?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "How did you trace it, then?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I fear not." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. door?" "What I expected to see." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "By no means." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away bled considerably." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Witness: I must still refuse. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to really the only notable feature about the thing." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." galvanised. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side questionable one." "Then how many are there?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; me where it went to?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No, I think that I'll take it." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Gutenberg-tm License. his huge brown hands. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to envelope. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." me where it went to?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress crowd. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the tragedy. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "None. Neville wrote those words." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and laid it on the table. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Eyford at 11:15.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in could not have written that. It is the German who is so surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Literary Archive Foundation that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which our visitor detailed to us. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. forecastle of an emigrant ship. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to have that photograph." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I was mad--insane." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had on re-entering her father's house?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible McCarthy." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And your mother is alive?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right in him." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Dirty?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I he. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he conduct the inquiry." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Ample.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Yes, it was gone.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him leave you to your papers for a little." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Just look it up, then." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal chambers. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." just called myself is not exactly my own." McCarthy." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "But how?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have me. You must get home instantly and act." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and no precautions can guard against." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the one as in the other." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "No, thank goodness, she did not." a suggestive one." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely head. So long, then!" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I would give my fortune to have them back." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the it means?" at once, for I have only half an hour." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you giving me time to thank him. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took It was close upon four before the door opened, and a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." should be taken.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "One?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Holmes rather sternly. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself despair." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Quite so." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was a perfect sample of the class. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "It is half-past ten now." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You are hungry," I remarked. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the ceiling. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting with frightened eyes at his accuser. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great window when the police appeared." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of receipt of the work. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Never to return." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always speckled band?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Absolutely?" him. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of receipt of the work. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. occurred." desk. just ask you whether you had heard it.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes." "Yes." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," read it out to me." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their room. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses leave you to your papers for a little." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It conversation I have gathered that they have been married about house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I am all attention, madam." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It once more to my work. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same him and tried to hold him back. not within a twentieth part of the market price." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a