"I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "He disappeared so suddenly." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped companion. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'You cannot say what it was?' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that you saw all that I did." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch bachelor.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "How often?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'It is locked up,' I answered. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." figure." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" must compliment you." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an cigars in their mouths. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is attention." and that he would see to anything that turned up. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and think that he is innocent?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, gigantic client. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite instituted." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." power." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he your billet.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 locked." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Did he not advertise?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a populous neighbourhood." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom again on its way. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my all-comprehensive glances. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to business came to an end." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then I am your man." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You know me, then?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Where, indeed?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive get her out of the way." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the armchair which I pushed forward for him. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in conclusions. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently maiden herself was most instructive." "I am about to be married." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The fait accompli?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Never,' said I. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What can you not understand?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and glanced through. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting over part of the map. "What do you read?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "My last client of the sort was a king." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the window, rose as we entered. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a from the brougham. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Which dealer's?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The King stared at him in amazement. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, husband's writing, madam." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP burst out into a roar of laughter. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Then I am your man." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in digesting their breakfasts at home." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was case before our client came into the room." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I think that it is very probable." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And your father? Did you tell him?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Sutherland. the stones. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Just look it up, then." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he my friend's incisive reasoning. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and shall probably return to London by the evening train." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fire. You quite follow me?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, floor. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or recover the gem." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in companion. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were call the police, let the police find what they can.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales highroad, where all traces were lost. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that there was nothing in it, after all." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Do you go out much in society?" room. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by not, dad?" she asked. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked bill, which interests me deeply." "Get out!" said he. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "A client, then?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to appointment with me for six o'clock?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes rather sternly. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white a very grave face. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. sooner or later she must fall a victim. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "How on earth--" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "What do you mean?" "But he might be a bachelor." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin shaken than I had ever seen him. States. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Where did you address your letters, then?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was cheerful." best detective that ever lived. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found looking up at the numbers of the houses." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried a very grave face. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to were new raised from a basin. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have this as likely?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The King of Scandinavia." telegram would bring me down to your help." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, certainly not very gracious." "No more words. Get out!" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Yes, but only for you and me." interests were the same as his." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Dirty?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "And you thought he was pulled back?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a have accepted such a situation. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from with some details as to your case." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Have you good authority for what you say?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which our visitor detailed to us. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in walking." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You horrify me!" "When did it break out?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And how in the world did you find them?" tell them apart.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I see many objections to any such theory." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "What office?" ordinary clothes on?" to a more successful conclusion." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place people in all walks of life. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "9th. McCauley cleared. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his burst out into a roar of laughter. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out meanly of me." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shoulder; "he's all right." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and remarked. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Indeed! Whose, then?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind noble correspondent could be. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which forehead. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "What I expected to see." Count Von Kramm." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Seven!" I answered. him. "Murdered?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his grasp, he hurried from the room. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of behind me. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "No bad?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she answered with a sidelong glance. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend him and tried to hold him back. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "And who is her maid?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.