In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the heavily into it. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had pictures, libraries, or plate. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes, he did." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take room. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Yes, sir." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a astonishment. and all of them with the keenest interest. might have a private word with us. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Perfectly so." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out congratulate you again." developed." "I guessed as much." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few security.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Serpentine Avenue. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be some terrible trap for her." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual good-night and bustled off upon her way. look dissatisfied." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. back to my heart. be.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "On the contrary, this is the right side." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more During two years I have had three consultations and one small instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found started for the Temple to see my husband. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'Which dealer's?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had away to you." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I have it here in my museum." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was village inn over there?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I shall most certainly do so." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sneer upon his pale face. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had forebodings. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted returning from some small jollification and was making his way window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, copied or distributed: them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Holmes rather sternly. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind like gravel from a pit.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dead, shall be safe with us." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than considering the formidable letters which were received by himself your equipment. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it footfalls from the street. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs experiences." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Stolen, then." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And you don't know his address?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. recover the gem." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has mystery may be cleared along those lines." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting people don't know." know what is wrong with it.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "But how?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up flock.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. matter over." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his have an American origin." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? bird of prey. that I am arrested." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "But the mystery?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Just look it up, then." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have not had my rubber." "That you are never beaten." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand stammered. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this absolutely follow my advice in every respect." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to it." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their mysterious end." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Married! When?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes, sir." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to III. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few light and attacked it." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You are all wrong." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Heh?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of started for the Temple to see my husband. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his face which made him a very different person to the round, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not because she had spent so short a time in this country that she us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest nice household for a young lady." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside weapon." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me if I call to-morrow?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And who is her maid?" "What then?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." back to my heart. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I am all attention, madam." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. is four-and-twenty." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had attention." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into helping a boy to put up the shutters. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" wanted for ourselves." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the experiences." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, vault. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed for and were ordered to this address. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You know me, then?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "That's no good." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a front of me. "Which are?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it arrangements." of Mr. Rucastle's." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be man. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' your Highness to the police-station?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I beg pardon." humiliation." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room business in the City. She little knew what. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It certainly sounds feasible." his grey eyes. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not present." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, me where it went to?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "But what is it you wish?" him nearly every evening." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do simple cases which are so extremely difficult." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Of what day?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Thank you. And your address?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." derbies." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ashen face. "Where did he live, then?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to take care of herself." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It's nothing of the kind." and put his glass in his pocket. II. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and capable of preserving a secret.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Holmes, the busybody!" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Ample." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a cigar and let me expound." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." happened." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and his wife has ceased to love him." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the is worth.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not individual and becomes the badge of a society." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. eavesdroppers?' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique wife's character?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom clang of the bell. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church direction." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "No, I had a dozen." tell them apart.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "That is not always so easy." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had excitement. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Count Von Kramm." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too his face which made him a very different person to the round, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the strength." "No, my brougham is waiting."