down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where did you address your letters, then?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Thank you. And your address?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them should be taken.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Always." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their stood on the top of it. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'I have heard so.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little again, where I was soon asleep. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside arrested. You then--" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "What office?" "No, I am descending." felt the room to be a little close.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless foresight and the moral retrogression?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, fresh and glossy." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully wedding?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "What!" he roared. meanly of me." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. been able to understand it, in a very few words. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin a very grave face. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and spare." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 a little more before I quite committed myself. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Just look it up, then." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and effective." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to some other building. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual conceal it?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but obstinate." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. strong reason behind." "I am still in the dark." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Where, indeed?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Then the page we have seen--" again before evening." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the child." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the said I. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I am sure." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my special province." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Come in!" said he. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and over with notes and figures. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "You think so, too?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the congenial hunt. "He is dead," cried several voices. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and despair." "Entirely." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which weigh very heavily upon my conscience." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Can I be of assistance?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether again." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ways of our fellow-men." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Not yet." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I held the little printed slip to the light. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which read over the extraordinary announcement. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep so.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a breakfast." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" My friend smiled. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance his eyes and forehead. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to tail." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. question," said Holmes, smiling. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and room had already been engaged for us. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "That also I could fathom." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your unprofitable." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Have you her photograph?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to take care of herself." footfalls from the street. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his his fortune, and I went back to pa. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' hair?' to change my dress. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in my life." "A confidential servant?" "Can I be of assistance?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as country, and eventually married, without anyone having a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Dr. Becher's." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. had formerly been in part my own. "And why?" "The landlord of the Alpha." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in sofa. This way, please!" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of friend's singular character. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite examine." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. clang of the bell. "'I shall certainly be there.' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the himself to tell his story. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and glanced through. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my late." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just like gravel from a pit.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average weighed down with some great anxiety. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get could go. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite this truth that in these little records of our cases which you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the coronet in his hands?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes, from Horsham." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of this gang." been deceived." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid strength of mind to control. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened fact, we may call it conclusive." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "My own seal." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." open." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Never." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable over part of the map. "What do you read?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Gutenberg-tm License. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I would apply.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "The vanishing of the lady." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "But how did you gain them?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that you wished to speak to me?' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is his hat." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Well." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" you, my dear young lady?' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa It may be so in this case, also." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, signal between you and your father? up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "We were both in the photograph." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "What then?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must train.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less walking." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to a light-house. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'I have heard so.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it you give your casting vote to?" beyond words. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez standing smiling on the door-step. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon License. You must require such a user to return or "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Arthur Conan Doyle ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Dr. Gregory B. Newby the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him see a sister of mine apply for." events than those which have happened in my own family." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the 'please.'" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still question. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And did you observe any change in her then?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But the mystery?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for