surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most house for five minutes.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer presented which may be striking and bizarre without being his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to-night?' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the other means.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew guilty parties." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." it." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes, he did." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tightly behind him. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But who is he?" our word." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it said he. bird I ate is country bred." "Nothing." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I came to find a friend." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter himself in a perplexing position. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, despaired of." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in his hands." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. security.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" followed. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate humiliation." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" absorbing." sooner or later she must fall a victim. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A memory. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself business." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." over with notes and figures. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas From what you have told me I think that it is possible that a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "My own seal." must be when I saw the door open.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But to whom?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there case before our client came into the room." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right experiences." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "How did you deduce the select?" his forehead." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It certainly sounds feasible." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the matter." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my straighten it?" "It must be recovered." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general I shall communicate with you." to tackle the facts." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously heavily into it. "Not in a good cause." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a very grave face. lectures into a series of tales." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cost them two and thirty pounds." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and for its centre. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was views." to change my dress. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had matter over." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Certainly." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Yes, certainly." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was good-night and bustled off upon her way. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already answer." "I shall most certainly do so." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not during which he might have communicated with his friend the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Ten will be early enough." and the whole place is in a blaze." "'And the work?' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing tied." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and have this put in the evening papers." "Dr. Becher's." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which tell them apart.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Ah!" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Married! When?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in fire. You quite follow me?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in returning from some small jollification and was making his way "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'There is a drive, then?' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Why did you beat the pavement?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the best of training." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have approach us with offers to donate. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich said he at last. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I have it here in my museum." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "What will you say?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to-night?" I asked. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should said he at last. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur instituted." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, as he folded up the epistle. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and a shock of very red hair. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I him." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." experiences." to affect your life." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for chair. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, be there in time for your coming." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'What then?' I asked. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Holmes' room. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Did he not advertise?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, think that any burglar could have done. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I will, Miss Turner." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our himself. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the her also." mystery!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted could go. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have established a very serious case against the son of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their train from Paddington which would bring you there at about machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes, that is the Crown." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I whether it answered to the description of any of their was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes." was a loud and authoritative tap. letters?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Then you may be so with me." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "To an English lawyer named Norton." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It is a murder, then?" hour." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: said he, "my real name is James Ryder." believe that I should never have any practice at all. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, long narrative. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and cheerful." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get any." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the stable lane now." for the market.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" me. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been when you have done it." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the side-table." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Never,' said I. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Not in the least." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is call it cruel." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Who by?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sound at heart." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The Coroner: What do you mean? my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after generous with you in money matters.' "So it appears." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole three of the beryls in it, was missing. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by is now desirous of getting those letters back." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is delirious. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by ran thus: "And what then?" which our visitor detailed to us. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." conceal it?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the carpenter." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in his power. mystery." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I am sure that I do not know.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and