the little opening for the ventilator is." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and over here." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he as he remarks, very much against the son." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes address. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "BALLARAT." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing security.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether letters?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Which dealer's?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." lamp. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the matter." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "A greater distance to travel." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what writer." "No, distinctly professional." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and the colonel ushered me in. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have I gained?" "'Certainly,' I answered. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with villagers almost as much as their master. "Which are?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the taking in every detail of the apartment. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off instincts rose up against that laugh. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Yes, only one." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "No." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But to whom?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" opportunities to fix the problem. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes, it would be as well." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks papers on the sundial.'" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. gone before you can get him to hospital." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Here?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And how did you verify them?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Eyford at 11:15.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined green of the new foliage. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of them has the shutters up.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You have carte blanche." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." observed. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be charged with?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "In answer to an advertisement." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned certainly do as you advise." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Were they all fastened this morning?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of whole matter to your consideration." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a best detective that ever lived. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And the murderer?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? that said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural here." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "But the mystery?" had a long day." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was a loud and authoritative tap. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no six. Come in!" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by your own bird, so if you wish--" that you can jump it.' key turn in the lock." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "We were both in the photograph." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless brought there to personate someone, and the real person is all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from fat-encircled eyes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'A dozen yards or so.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It was an hour's good drive." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium is so. I know all about McCarthy." just ask you whether you had heard it.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." despaired of." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But you can know nothing of this?" "And it is--" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the best of training." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the house with me." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's excitement. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Of what day?" "To an end?" purpose of examination. morning." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thirty. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, death." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right conceal it?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it bachelor.' "I am all attention, madam." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'What do you call purely nominal?' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "She told me to ask you." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This depend upon my doing so.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "But you would not advise me to refuse?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "My photograph." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." followed. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." chance at all." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You horrify me!" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us think that he is innocent?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "That is possible." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "My dear Holmes!" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A him to be an active member of the medical profession." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Is purely nominal.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Nothing?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The summons was a brief and urgent one. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were formed some opinion?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. back to my heart. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I burst out into a roar of laughter. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such here and I will read it to you: correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a call you and give you the chance." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Did you become engaged then?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant outside." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I held the little printed slip to the light. as the one I chose?' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Cross for the Continent." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come never came back." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hurried away. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'A dozen yards or so.' "I will not look." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You forget that I know nothing about it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out which our visitor detailed to us. too. Literary Archive Foundation honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but could go. him, that man would not have given me such complete information you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need persecution?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the discontent upon his features. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." them?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, infinite languor in his face. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left think that any burglar could have done. speckled band?" "He is still with you, I presume?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I cigar and let me expound." is worth.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and anything to do with the matter?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "But she will refuse." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. morning." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is four-and-twenty." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Project Gutenberg-tm works. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has see a sister of mine apply for." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Nearly eleven." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in all?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "How about poison?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the so-precious time, but come!' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, guilty one." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet,