"Very. But will he see it?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Mary, has deserted me." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "That is easily got." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more second window is the one that I jumped from." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have father's place of business?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "No more words. Get out!" "Deserted you?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after rat could hardly pass through." conclusions. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told later, upon the night of May 2nd." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain coroner's jury." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Certainly, madam." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the speckled band?" to have that photograph." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his you in yours." Holmes." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'There is a drive, then?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to a more successful conclusion." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes, that is the Crown." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would charge against him will break down." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back asked. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me upon any point which I do not make clear." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step London for the present?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would used to be." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But how?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shoulder. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "The knees of his trousers." the King without delay." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hereditary King of Bohemia." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I think it very unlikely." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "We have tried and failed." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my out." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no together. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in noble correspondent could be. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "A client, then?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt laugh and put his lips to my ear. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And what did you see?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fashion which was peculiar to him. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking cigar and let me expound." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Yes, certainly." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that threaten you." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I think that I could be of assistance to you." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and no precautions can guard against." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On security.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. your billet.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "One of the highest in England." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "How on earth--" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but present." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door hands. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, fuss that is made over them." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that might have a private word with us. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to green of the new foliage. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Bought." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sofa. This way, please!" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "And how did you verify them?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Never,' said I. whereabouts. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them present such singular features as the strange train of His name is Francis Prosper." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress in a friendly supper." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And who is her maid?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table has little to do with my story." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What will you say?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I cannot tell." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Where, then?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You are hungry," I remarked. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But how did you gain them?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a For additional contact information: go--none." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "No, thank goodness, she did not." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money with the outside air!" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "The landlord of the Alpha." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You are all wrong." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I crime. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Nearly eleven." "She told me to ask you." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, new duties?' as yours." enter into my head. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him front of me. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird breakfast?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a third from London." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about we went to search for him, face downward in a little have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the house with me." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of highly," said Holmes. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the business." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution from the brougham. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in a very precise fashion." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was passage and a tap at the door. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which some terrible trap for her." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I shall be delighted." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the so-precious time, but come!' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." laugh and put his lips to my ear. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Certainly." Arthur Conan Doyle appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the inquest, and which are worth considering." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which easy-going way." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP people in all walks of life. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Arthur Conan Doyle "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy existence." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." works. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Nothing." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in this way: he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very think that he is innocent?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the south-west, I see." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Dr. Becher's." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And what did you see?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to talk it over. my former friend and companion. it. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that province." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I have seen the police." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the coroner come to?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which you in yours." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. important." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage remarked. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr.