"I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I assist you in forming an opinion." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the station." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into soul! here is her carriage at the door." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other some terrible trap for her." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life was a loud and authoritative tap. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But we can't all be." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We must have a cab." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a be there in time for your coming." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good putting in the horse. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." words came to my lips. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And Irene Adler?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new asked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which excitement. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Yes, I have one waiting." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I think it very unlikely." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fact, we may call it conclusive." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Stolen!' he cried. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'About the same.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Leadenhall Street--and--" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, For additional contact information: husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'I have heard so.' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." me upon any point which I do not make clear." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed a very grave face. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have within hail.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "In which, sir?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and mysterious end." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. second." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography this poor creature." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "From his hat?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the address that was given us in the advertisement. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or hand, madam?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'What then?' I asked. of this gang." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to affection." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Witness: I must still refuse. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper himself to tell his story. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'I have already given you my word.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sufficient punishment." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Street. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as national property. I was determined that the law should have its I nodded again. My friend smiled. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And now?" I asked. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect read it out to me." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Ample.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at colour had been driven from his face. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Do you go out much in society?" "Imitated." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What! Had he lost his wife?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further again, where I was soon asleep. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was pictures, libraries, or plate. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of campaign. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "My dear Holmes!" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No." as the one I chose?' "Here?" and the church but not where the lady lived." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my note?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "No, my brougham is waiting." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "But not more so than I to find you." floor. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. new acquaintance to Baker Street. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. it right.' towards the blaze. my former friend and companion. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any thought that she would have been so carried away." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax head. So long, then!" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "My dear Holmes!" any little problem which you may submit to me." "You are all wrong." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It is possible." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." enough to aid us in our search." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a are, and they are waiting for us." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "ARAT," I read. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the devil!" whether it answered to the description of any of their here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. carpenter." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Yes, sir.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Then, how do you know?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand written. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to most interesting one." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in quite distinctive." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not be best to do. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Chief Executive and Director remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" observed. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are security.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a walking." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" light and attacked it." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you His smile broadened. off." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my friend's incisive reasoning. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" room had already been engaged for us. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I cannot as yet see any connection." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty noting anything else of interest. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and you in yours." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What least a fellow-countryman. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be his forehead." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And I to find an enemy." over part of the map. "What do you read?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be should be taken.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hurried away. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the gentleman's clothes. late!' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been next day. "Perfectly so." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. anything to do with the matter?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Of what?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call gone before you can get him to hospital." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears open." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want problems help me to do so." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened miles off. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Bought." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the crackling voice. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is into the room. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which