colonel looking down at me. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Very much so." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But she could not love him." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to rose-bushes. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case that the gas is not laid on in his house?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'You cannot say what it was?' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he place no limit on the sum I may draw." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Your presence might be invaluable." "9th. McCauley cleared. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet one which it was hard to resist. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The will be renamed. "You have carte blanche." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover bird I ate is country bred." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face have had none more fantastic than this." "'As governess?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and the colonel ushered me in. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" back into the street. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. call the police, let the police find what they can.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good way in." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." whereabouts. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Deserted you?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Stolen!' he cried. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman sooner or later she must fall a victim. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made could gather together that I was able to avert another public said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of receipt of the work. address. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Where did you address your letters, then?" business at Coburg Square is serious." during that time.' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to-night's adventure." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & ran thus: office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." read it out to me." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on copied or distributed: his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so done what I asked you, Jones?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But his left-handedness." think that he is innocent?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found vault. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "My own seal." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the or in danger--" them?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "At what time?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And how did he make his money?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are whether it answered to the description of any of their music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I cannot imagine." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy train.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" other means.' bell. Holmes whistled. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and your relations to her." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin quite distinctive." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is results." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps fishes. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads in the hope of finding them." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And I to find an enemy." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But we can't all be." do.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then I am your man." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You horrify me!" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I have hopes." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to have that photograph." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. were unconscious?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Why serious?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and your relations to her." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a too. "That sounds a little paradoxical." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, words came to my lips. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'And the work?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings true." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has garden below. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Nothing." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative existence." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached 11:15.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from think, you have already met." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I have it here in my museum." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "VIOLET HUNTER." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety any little problem which you may submit to me." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We she slowly sank and died without having recovered her give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "She showed me, as I told you she would." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary who was a member of your goose club." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He said too much." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient union?" "'Never,' said I. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Stolen!' he cried. bled considerably." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is," said he presently: "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were in him." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be union?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an made his money." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and that he would see to anything that turned up. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to arrive at through this?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'Then let me do so?' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend whole matter to your consideration." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very meanly of me." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a fluttered off among the others. think, you have already met." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and effective." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You colour had been driven from his face. conclusions. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and go from here to the Strand." bled considerably." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the inquest, and which are worth considering." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, putting in the horse. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party tell him that I know him to be innocent." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "No." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that?' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me fattened it expressly for you.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual must be when I saw the door open.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend stalked out of the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It came here." "You don't mind breaking the law?" I leave." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "What are they?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. dear old homesteads?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his said he at last. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wanted for ourselves." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms papers." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the so-precious time, but come!' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." excitement. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. so far?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the not within a twentieth part of the market price." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'How far from the body?' back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Very well, sir. And this stone?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged maid will bring up your coffee." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not page at http://pglaf.org "'Entirely.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a you understand?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I into the room. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "On your arm?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You saw the ventilator, too?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you evidence," I remarked. system of imprisonment?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are