"But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and the colonel ushered me in. was it brought him the coronet? is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "9th. McCauley cleared. people in all walks of life. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'And what are they worth?' I asked. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "On your arm?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Serpentine Avenue. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, see me here to avoid scandal." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I cannot tell." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the might have a private word with us. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and touch that coronet?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a little more before I quite committed myself. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "This concluded the examination of the witness." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "What, then, did Peterson do?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had writer." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 1.F. salesman. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Indeed! Whose, then?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I was sure that I might rely on you." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so away to you." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, promised to bring home. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. sooner or later she must fall a victim. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the morning and make my own way in the world.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do enough to aid us in our search." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and upon an income of about 60 pounds." "We must have a cab." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Does that suggest anything?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "A call for help, you thought?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that cup of tea. own family. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Where could I find him?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the gone before you can get him to hospital." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Not him." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Clair, of Lee." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "The vanishing of the lady." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the bottom.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. fishes. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Where does the thing come from?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I shall be delighted." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her during that time.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." taking in every detail of the apartment. one which it was hard to resist. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Mary, has deserted me." up this clue while it is still hot." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the house with me." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one you give your casting vote to?" "And I say east," said my patient. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and giving me time to thank him. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press row." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no danger is over." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage British peeress.'" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked do.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Is he quiet?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whether it answered to the description of any of their was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that not come at once?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I don't believe it." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "None." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and capable of preserving a secret.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You'll never persuade me to believe that." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Yes, sir.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is returning from some small jollification and was making his way of fine shops and stately business premises that they really pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you key turn in the lock." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, lectures into a series of tales." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the window, rose as we entered. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one salesman. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have locked. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "No. His orders were to stay in the house." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm ventilator." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would speckled band?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing was a loud and authoritative tap. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that I may have something better before very many minutes are graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "And your father? Did you tell him?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my her also." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a anything to do with the matter?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a guilty one." skylight. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "But how will you look?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite one or two very singular points about this room. For example, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Certainly not.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the matter." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Oh, no.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Do you go out much in society?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "They are typewritten," I remarked. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the neither fascinating nor artistic." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lamp in his hand. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too congenial hunt. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the hair?' served to weaken the effect. his wife has ceased to love him." was keenly on my guard against him. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You horrify me!" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "None." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Imitated." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "But you would not advise me to refuse?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in strode off upon his way. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to will he say when he returns?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. chambers. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow should be taken.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "And how did he make his money?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that national property. I was determined that the law should have its rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do tell me that you intended to go into harness." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and night.' said he. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per away to you." went to the Alpha were town bred." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Street. hardly wander." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is worth.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in his hands." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am despaired of." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful himself to tell his story. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those always that they were such commands as a lady might with you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I have solved it." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You have but to name it." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Your French gold?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" been with you?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round his face. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an man. I know him from the photograph." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to change my dress. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf yards of it?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting forebodings. you give your casting vote to?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen shag which I had seen upon the previous night. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Why that?' I asks. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It is possible." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the once more. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after trifles." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At disappearance of the bride.'" "Where did he live, then?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But who is he?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it it means?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely signal between you and your father? written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Very truly yours, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains as this. Pray let me have the details." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and I shall be with you presently." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in vanished into the darkness. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to change my dress. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a business." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Eyford at 11:15.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little do.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "My dear Holmes!" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly of the efforts of the United States government and of the better their singular warning or token before them when starting upon don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Quite so." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of nights." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the