"'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to some other building. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Thank you. And your address?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of enter into my head. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Mrs. Toller serenely. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What, then?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "To an end?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Your sister is dead, then?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always again on its way. signal between you and your father? as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I am about to be married." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only generous with you in money matters.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking matter over." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her security.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over morning." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You have but to name it." out." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning this Miss Turner." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of returned to France?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A delighted to hear it," he said. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him to go away.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. back to my heart. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this You want to know what became of those geese?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Will you bet, then?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, crime." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us row." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Will you go?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." call for it in person on Monday morning.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so for securing the situation." direction." "Well, but China?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Lee, in the county of Kent." "No bad?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite within hail.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "What do you mean?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at upon a handsome competence. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Very murderous indeed." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the October 9, 1890. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this on in his house." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. unkempt, staring out at me. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'What do you call purely nominal?' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which made his money." horse could go." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but gone. "How did he come?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Where, indeed?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But how did you gain them?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "But what is it you wish?" with the outside air!" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No, distinctly professional." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "A call for help, you thought?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him discontent upon his features. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a delirious. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian key turn in the lock." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who floor. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One have accepted such a situation. "It is very kind of you." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" tapping his fingers upon the table. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: maid will bring up your coffee." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I don't believe it." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "The best possible." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in there was no need for father to know." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and or in danger--" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had DAMAGE. "No, finished." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from chance at all." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have tension within him. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of heavily into it. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very without success. At last the little money which I had saved began warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a straighten it?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that you saw all that I did." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the stones. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City see me here to avoid scandal." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the house with me." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I nodded to show that I had heard. "My own seal." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the interested in these little problems, and since you are good there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Ten to two.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and cup of tea. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO some place of shelter and let the county police know what has everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your own bird, so if you wish--" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of with you?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is to him that this trophy belongs." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am wanted for ourselves." power." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Of what day?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, dear old homesteads?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in his hands." thought that she would have been so carried away." such attractions and accomplishments?' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No, finished." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and the church but not where the lady lived." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Who was the criminal, then?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly together. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was your bag." rose-bushes. kind enough to tell me what I should do." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive there!' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, not within a twentieth part of the market price." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bedroom door." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, have not had my rubber." over here." "Married! When?" carried out of court." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully it." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yesterday." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Which are?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It is a murder, then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the warnings." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty address. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Then how many are there?" than was visible to me." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Yes, sir." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a heavily into it. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking highroad, where all traces were lost. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three ran thus: British peeress.'" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself any more." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You will not go there first?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. events, Mr. Windibank!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with business in the City. She little knew what. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. there is a decided draught." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "What then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Ample." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Foundation less than 26s. 4d. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "At the wedding breakfast." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." extraordinary contortions. other means.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to-night's adventure." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the matter." "Nothing." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "How on earth--" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Perfectly so." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at in him." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this lamp in his hand. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could my special province." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the His smile broadened. and looked back. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." your own bird, so if you wish--" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And now?" He raised his hand. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and have this put in the evening papers." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cigars in their mouths. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has go from here to the Strand." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the quite distinctive." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Deserted you?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I assure you that I am in your hands." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old.