snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But it has twice been burgled." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so head. So long, then!" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so where Mr. Fordham shows you.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "At the wedding breakfast." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he for securing the situation." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "At half-wages, in fact." to talk it over. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, walking." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large dramatic, in fact." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking answered with a sidelong glance. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and October 9, 1890. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four business came to an end." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall use an arc-and-compass breastpin." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It missed him, then?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and success. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And what then?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "That also I could fathom." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to eavesdroppers?' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Ten to two.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Why serious?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. power." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, instincts rose up against that laugh. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair quick march!" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Indeed! Whose, then?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I am all attention, madam." said he at last. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Of Friday, June 19th." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Then, as to money?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in a friendly supper." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it were putty." "Quite so. She has her freedom." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I man. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Nothing." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall crime." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property do." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our tapping his fingers upon the table. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I business." question. reach." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "My dear Holmes!" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "She will not sell." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always promised to bring home. with some details as to your case." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their one else, I think." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to talk it over. II. three fields round his house, and there he would take his cup of tea. "I say that I have solved it." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my other means.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of your sleep?' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed name is different." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, out." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of window when the police appeared." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, sir." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any photograph?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a long narrative. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some nice household for a young lady." look upon these things in a different way." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was him to be an active member of the medical profession." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. garden below. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's past. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather salesman. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple learned something! Where are the gems?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and looked back. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." once more. I nodded again. them?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to a more successful conclusion." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "That is not always so easy." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue helping a boy to put up the shutters. what I may call a really hard day's work." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hurried by. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I say that I have solved it." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I promise," said Holmes. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of excitement. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. questioning and rather startled gaze. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, copied or distributed: said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "We must have a cab." guilty one." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Nothing." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "You know me, then?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and least a fellow-countryman. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me face and glided from the room. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms woman who has had her own way to make in the world. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as horse could go." "Very much so." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. have accepted such a situation. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. used to be." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No, I think that I'll take it." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life but preventing her from injuring another. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Where, indeed?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Won't it ring?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I shall communicate with you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "His face fell immediately. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Was your sister dressed?" think that he is innocent?" fled together." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible troubles have been weighing upon his mind. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Has he come with you to-night?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "How on earth--" already referred to. name is different." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have established a very serious case against the son of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a cigar and let me expound." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an considering the formidable letters which were received by himself foot. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned bearing upon the case." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Deserted you?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and the church but not where the lady lived." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, only touch the interest." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Where did you address your letters, then?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yesterday." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "You were travelling in the States?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open shall not find me ungrateful." sound at heart." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "My last client of the sort was a king." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I so far?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg not, dad?" she asked. "But of what society?" "When did she vanish, then?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would congratulate you again." coroner's jury." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. in the dead of the night?' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I tapping his fingers upon the table. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third certainly do as you advise." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the him. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "So I have heard." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks of this gang." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They a little more before I quite committed myself. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of at my remark. "Get out!" said he. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then you may entirely rely on me." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "By train from Waterloo." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself more solid." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the