blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking that you saw all that I did." "You did not overhear what they said?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive noting anything else of interest. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat This is what he says: "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ran thus: "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I will, Miss Turner." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Then you may be so with me." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass crackling voice. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'And what salary do you ask?' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." indiscretion." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "His face fell immediately. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I am in hopes that she does." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the shoulder; "he's all right." "'Is purely nominal.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as he folded up the epistle. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And you don't know his address?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I have solved it." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Not in a good cause." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it clanging. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out had formerly been in part my own. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But what is it you wish?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and looked back. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No more words. Get out!" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Never to return." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Your French gold?" "I will do it." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The landlord of the Alpha." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Lee, in the county of Kent." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It must be recovered." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when my secret was safe in his possession. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, three fields round his house, and there he would take his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is chill to my heart. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which was all perfectly true. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Yes, it would be as well." think that he is innocent?" deduce something from that?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of go from here to the Strand." of a light. "But he might be a bachelor." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Yes." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And you thought he was pulled back?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Cross for the Continent." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying page at http://pglaf.org always that they were such commands as a lady might with investigation." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the strength of mind to control. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Only as much as we can deduce." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical be.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the roots. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and wait." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to hair?' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I would pay ten." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into always that they were such commands as a lady might with Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together question," said Holmes, smiling. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I was mad--insane." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may it with his own hands." Munro.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know despaired of." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, 1.E.9. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction skylight. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest best detective that ever lived. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And sit in the dark?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that garden below. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two been able to understand it, in a very few words. "None." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an tied." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "And sit in the dark?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way round with crates and massive boxes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "In which, sir?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not over his head with a sweet womanly caress. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. father's place of business?" His name is Francis Prosper." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No bad?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I am still in the dark." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean help us in this matter." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through business came to an end." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a upon a handsome competence. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, with frightened eyes at his accuser. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Surrey." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, maiden herself was most instructive." "That you are never beaten." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. companion. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and conclusions. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I have solved it." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have had none more fantastic than this." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back question," said Holmes, smiling. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Has he come with you to-night?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive said I. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect three of the beryls in it, was missing. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yes, only one." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Heh?' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are on in his house." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel asked. hurried by. companion quietly. instincts rose up against that laugh. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Witness: Nothing definite. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And from a noble client?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I don't believe it." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. system of imprisonment?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All get the tickets." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the undoubtedly my uncle's." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That you are never beaten." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You have compromised yourself seriously." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You saw the ventilator, too?" to have that photograph." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you something of him before." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "My Mary? Impossible!" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but corner of the building. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Gutenberg-tm License. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to joking. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Come in!" said Holmes. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "He said too much." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a very grave face. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! tied." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "But of what society?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wife's character?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I served to weaken the effect. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Yes." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. him. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It is solved." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite families. Now for the facts. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP other lovers by making love himself." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to his chemical studies. foresight and the moral retrogression?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, yards of it?' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "But his lameness?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The vanishing of the lady." how narrow had been my escape. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "At what time?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Never.'