her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's again before evening." "'Never,' said I. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Which surely he restored to their owner?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Is he quiet?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very unkempt, staring out at me. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Frequently." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that danger is over." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him to go away.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Won't it ring?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Tired-looking or fresh?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your distinguish the words: closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the affair. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I am armed." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the think, you have already met." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents where she found matters as described by the last witness. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses may have an influence upon European history." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an heavy and sharp instrument." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have assist you in forming an opinion." "No, thank goodness, she did not." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a these bleak autumnal evenings." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a tied." morning." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "But it has twice been burgled." distinguish the words: the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad few hundred pounds.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it events than those which have happened in my own family." Foundation there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about second window is the one that I jumped from." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'A dozen yards or so.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Was he the only applicant?" and have this put in the evening papers." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. not within a twentieth part of the market price." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The telegram which we eventually received came late one night stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door pictures, libraries, or plate. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Then I do not see the point." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he straighten it?" were wasted." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the room while you explain this matter?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary go--none." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "What?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ample." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, train.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Lee, in the county of Kent." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Frequently." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a all-comprehensive glances. have got?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a such person." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try ways including including checks, online payments and credit card you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, cause to be." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And your father? Did you tell him?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" empty. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I congratulate you again." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in meant." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, relief. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from of it with the greatest attention. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, whereabouts. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open will take you up to see the machine.' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. developed." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "So it appears." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was both be extremely obliged.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business she used." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught about here speaks of his kindness to him." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I don't believe it." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Stoke Moran." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "My dear Holmes!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Oh, no.' developed." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "In what way?" asked Holmes. may never be exposed to such a temptation." noting anything else of interest. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to that open window." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "In San Francisco, a year ago." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to quick march!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the noting anything else of interest. plantation.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some future lives." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Well." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I think that I had better go, Holmes." be. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Stolen!' he cried. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic leave you to your papers for a little." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very better in every way that they should make their position a little "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Where, then?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious direction." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit late!' excitement. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a whereabouts. "I cannot tell." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. face and glided from the room. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' stalked out of the room. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your when you have done it." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to bird I ate is country bred." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It is possible." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Doctor, of the paper and the date." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness derbies." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "In what way?" asked Holmes. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock eavesdroppers?' tell him that I know him to be innocent." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I have my revolver," said I. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips it means?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And who is her maid?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "My photograph." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "You are hungry," I remarked. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You are hungry," I remarked. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "At half-wages, in fact." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my must be when I saw the door open.' hand, madam?" affair. "It is his hat." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I have come for advice." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both key turn in the lock." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yesterday." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the a little more before I quite committed myself. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and this Miss Turner." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as certainly not very gracious." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." do." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "My private note-paper." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless you?' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could not, dad?" she asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Did your wife hear all this?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method telegram would bring me down to your help." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are that I am arrested." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of