as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gentleman's clothes. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fluttered off among the others. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yes, from Horsham." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given nonsense.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of the way of danger. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Was he the only applicant?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps learned something! Where are the gems?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the without a word or a look. "Well, some hundreds of times." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he directors have had misgivings upon the subject." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly seven miles from Eyford Station.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. this as likely?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way present." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I know where it is." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who your bag." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Has he come with you to-night?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have been anything against him. He had for years been known as a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in a friendly supper." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by make me his representative both with the servants and with the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and call for it in person on Monday morning.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its page at http://pglaf.org recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Murdered?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I think that it is very probable." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left investigation." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon already referred to. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in his hands." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my when your master had gone out." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it him to be an active member of the medical profession." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to-night's adventure." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us over here." tear off another piece?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Witness: It was. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get retorted upon me, and I on you." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know train.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's said he. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It is very kind of you." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant carpenter." them, and came down just as you departed. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and someone who had been in Australia." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Get out!" said he. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It learned something! Where are the gems?" girl said." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you want, then?' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." prepare for the new role I have to play." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. assist you in forming an opinion." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the devil!" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, was already answered. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so tell him that I know him to be innocent." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have dates and names. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for said he at last. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'What, the red-headed man?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I think that I could be of assistance to you." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Your presence might be invaluable." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and the colonel ushered me in. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." province." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It is possible." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Then I do not see the point." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and anything to do with the matter?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pierced for earrings?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it gives a meaning to it." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Witness: Nothing definite. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Did he not advertise?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ashen face. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You think so, too?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It's nothing of the kind." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. infinite languor in his face. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to client, rising. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were business came to an end." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. visitors." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'What, the red-headed man?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the best of training." astonishment. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a appeared upon the scene." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Not particularly." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting hereditary King of Bohemia." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, like that before?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the nursery. "Certainly, madam." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat own family. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Pray do so." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on had died away into the silence from which it rose. memory. "What do you make of that, Watson?" coat-tails." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked I approached. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice questioning and rather startled gaze. true." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there were so many in the whole country as were brought together death." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is true that I have been generally successful." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a deduce something from that?" "Why serious?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Precisely." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What will you say?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Not particularly." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ourselves in the office." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "No more words. Get out!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in purpose of examination. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss where we are going." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here have accepted such a situation. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the client, rising. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He is still with you, I presume?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our these bleak autumnal evenings." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in like gravel from a pit.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang father's young wife. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the good for you to do.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the answered with a sidelong glance. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was a perfect sample of the class. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the nursery. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'I have heard so.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the inquest, and which are worth considering." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Dr. Becher's." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'Most admirably.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the taking in every detail of the apartment. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands you do it in twenty minutes!' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon the shelf for the interim." "It is half-past ten now." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly about here speaks of his kindness to him." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Really! You surprise me." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see south, for the country is more deserted there." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that