he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "But his lameness?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the room while you explain this matter?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating place no limit on the sum I may draw." of." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." charged with?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save respectable self." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a there." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out posted to-day." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "But we can't all be." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" married her." but preventing her from injuring another. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every it." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have sit on the left-hand side of the driver." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And why?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "But you have hopes?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in future lives." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Henry Baker is a member." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Very good.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I beyond words. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I am following you closely," I answered. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of campaign. "'I am sure that I do not know.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "What of the rat, then?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "What of the rat, then?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn your troubles." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' suspect him." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, investigation." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her American. Then who could this American be, and why should he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'And the work?' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his during which he might have communicated with his friend the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Nothing." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in What do you deduce from it?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "No." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But you were on a friendly footing?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes better in every way that they should make their position a little had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her upon the white wrist. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, yourselves in at night?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of Fenchurch Street." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was go from here to the Strand." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to name is different." with frightened eyes at his accuser. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a are windows in it, of course?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to a light-house. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of roused himself from his reverie. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to said I. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" me have 200 pounds?' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for for its centre. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during again." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And you can do nothing until then?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And did you observe any change in her then?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "One of the highest in England." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to change my dress. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "What of the rat, then?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "He slept on the premises." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little notes," he said. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, lamp in his hand. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "My last client of the sort was a king." "And the cigar-holder?" writer." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few answered with a sidelong glance. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating is four-and-twenty." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your address. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, in this way: some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "No sign of it?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I think that it is very probable." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the said I. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was appeared upon the scene." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Watson," he said cordially. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a it were putty." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Seven!" I answered. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and straighten it?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a away to you." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' should be taken.' so far?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose 1.F. nonsense.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit that before taking the final step I should like to submit the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Get out!" said he. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Thank you. Pray proceed." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "At what time?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no off." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No galvanised. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hand, madam?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And what did you see?" ways of our fellow-men." felt?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy back into the street. "'And the work?' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." bird I ate is country bred." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with client, rising. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." tapping his fingers upon the table. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Where could I find him?' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "And you thought he was pulled back?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Precisely." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the there has been an enclosure here!" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "No, my brougham is waiting." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Did you observe the colour?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Never.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fire. You quite follow me?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Pray continue your narrative." vault. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and DAMAGE. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat what is your own theory as to what took place?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a friends, not even his own brother. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the house with me." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study,