of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will there!' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in never to learn it at all." Holmes' face clouded over. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one away to you." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were thirty. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were once more to my work. "In San Francisco, a year ago." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present certainly do as you advise." "'Oh, no.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the of Mr. Rucastle's." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad where we are going." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "That's no good." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and cause to be." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What I expected to see." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after know all about it," he snarled. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Doctor, of the paper and the date." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and there." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the where she found matters as described by the last witness. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Get out!" said he. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "This photograph!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "No." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had a long day." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the unkempt, staring out at me. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to surprise her." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to affect your life." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug fait accompli?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "What!" he roared. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert back into the street. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. look upon these things in a different way." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "On the contrary, this is the right side." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I am all attention, madam." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest about here speaks of his kindness to him." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more washing it down with a long draught of water. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, closing the door. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is your sleep?' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an go back?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the inner apartment." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he arrested. You then--" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a monotonous occupation." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "And Irene Adler?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Very much so." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Quite so." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative said he. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you want, then?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'I am sure that I do not know.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the coronet in his hands?" room?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, gigantic client. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Miss Holder?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "In heaven's name, what for?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I cannot tell." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and the whole place is in a blaze." him!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in London for the present?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "One of the highest in England." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most weighed down with some great anxiety. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? purpose equally well?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, to-morrow." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "He disappeared so suddenly." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. security.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at my remark. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I have come for advice." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss his grey eyes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he constraint." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive occurred." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you was already answered. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his said he at last. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Have you it here?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lost his Christmas dinner." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the coronet at all injured?" hand, madam?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I am still in the dark." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." straighten it?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'I have already given you my word.' photograph?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging it were putty." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally three of the beryls in it, was missing. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very or other trace. But how on earth--" handed it to him. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed swore that no one else had been in the front room during the window when the police appeared." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was passage and a tap at the door. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I will get her to show me." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Why serious?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You have a clue?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the driver. felt the room to be a little close.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Then you may be so with me." over here." The summons was a brief and urgent one. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My new acquaintance to Baker Street. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a of campaign. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." might have a private word with us. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "My dear Holmes!" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." daring than any effort of the imagination." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the experiences." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "My photograph." "The gentleman I describe." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." six. Come in!" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "That is possible." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body name is different." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of wedding?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous absorbing." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged tension within him. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the night.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing to tell." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "She showed me, as I told you she would." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I will get her to show me." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, manager. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Did you become engaged then?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and put his glass in his pocket. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "His face fell immediately. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I will, Miss Turner." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, introspective fashion. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for night.' said he. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for name is different." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of always that they were such commands as a lady might with before the coroner and the police-court." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If out."