We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is solved." me. You must get home instantly and act." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "No, but the enclosure is." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "On your arm?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You think that he is dead?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "How often?" strode off upon his way. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I am in hopes that she does." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary absolutely follow my advice in every respect." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR emerged. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sound at heart." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It was." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Here?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to go into your room and bar your shutters?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Precisely so. But how--" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "The decline of his fortunes, then?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the very morning of the wedding." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "None." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage than to us. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out know that the truth is known." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I second." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "My own seal." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. instincts rose up against that laugh. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "In what way?" asked Holmes. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Perhaps we may make them less so." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work himself to tell his story. "That is unusual in a young girl." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything results." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang closely." face and glided from the room. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I beg pardon." him and tried to hold him back. carpenter." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Whose house is it?" October 9, 1890. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "No." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Ah!" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "But to whom?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so certainly do as you advise." or other trace. But how on earth--" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "But his left-handedness." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The summons was a brief and urgent one. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But you have hopes?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Proceed, then." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out amused." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as read over the extraordinary announcement. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had foresight and the moral retrogression?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending habit of advancing money.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." cheerful." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though before, for it was considerably after midnight. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "No." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I think that I could be of assistance to you." cause to be." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's of this gang." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his not as remarkable as your advertisement." "How often?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Eh? What was that?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, go back?" "Perhaps I have." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this would then never go into court at all." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if mysterious end." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you friend's singular character. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman thought that she would have been so carried away." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Indeed! Whose, then?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the for the market.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. once more for Briony Lodge. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Yes." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was the fact that his father should, according to his account, photograph a cabinet?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You have compromised yourself seriously." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the vault. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, quick march!" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And you thought he was pulled back?" some city in a dream. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his if I call to-morrow?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring would then never go into court at all." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Will you go?" the little opening for the ventilator is." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but your most interesting statement." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by danger is over." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "No." she might be summoned. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for followed. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Have you her photograph?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And the cigar-holder?" and the church but not where the lady lived." and laid it on the table. disappearance of the bride.'" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving there were one or two details which were new to me. But the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "She walked into the breakfast-room." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." affair. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some nothing of it?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" man. I know him from the photograph." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? even so self-evident a thing as that." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. fasten all the windows?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the driver. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "What can you not understand?" "Yes." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was not a bird to be seen there. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do it." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of question," said Holmes, smiling. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four go from here to the Strand." be there in time for your coming." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., fluttered off among the others. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Not particularly." wife's character?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated burst into a hearty fit of laughter. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our against a man in the prime of life?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and coroner's jury." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. points to suicide?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the devil!" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs dramatic, in fact." vanished into the darkness. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few entirely devoid of interest." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Was he the only applicant?" said I. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The woven round him. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you one else, I think." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. such attractions and accomplishments?' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I people in all walks of life. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "But how?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman one of the states of the Union." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town electronic works felt the room to be a little close.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Imitated." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "No, my brougham is waiting." the coronet at all injured?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Gutenberg-tm License. "'Most admirably.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Then, as to money?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Did he not advertise?" "Ha! you find it so?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is now desirous of getting those letters back." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the