go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to case-book, which he consulted. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had maid will bring up your coffee." "BALLARAT." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it had a long day." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. in his power. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "A call for help, you thought?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a than to us. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? question," said Holmes, smiling. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Miss Holder?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "To ruin me." "Yes." "There is the writing." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to spark where all is dark to me." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" been deceived." several quiet little villages up there." to some other building. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked brain must have something in it." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses will take you up to see the machine.' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable him. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Why, what do you mean?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the little opening for the ventilator is." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must late!' reach." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I cannot tell." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a nights." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Very much so." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Precisely." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could you in yours." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is him!" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the heavily into it. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill shall not find me ungrateful." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his colonel looking down at me. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a His smile broadened. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his huge brown hands. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that before taking the final step I should like to submit the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "My opinion is in no way altered." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the inquest, and which are worth considering." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as this. Pray let me have the details." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "What then?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Dr. Becher's." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' nonsense.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the friends, not even his own brother. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, way in." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of not, dad?" she asked. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Farm upon the left." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly sufficient punishment." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "He is dead," cried several voices. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt future lives." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" it." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It could not have written that. It is the German who is so collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Stoke Moran?" said he. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Yes, the wine-cellar." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Certainly not. But why?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. little adventures." becomes even more simple." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'What are you doing there?' he asked. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which delirious. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the flock.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, that is the Crown." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing public press." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "He is still with you, I presume?" at home. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "And why in hopes?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Certainly, madam." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I beg pardon." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some where we are going." at a side door. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this DISSOLVED. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, colour had been driven from his face. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I not come at once?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "From his hat?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to will not take me long to tell. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the that, and I came down." investigation." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and bonnet, and went out." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Literary Archive Foundation to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it undoubtedly my uncle's." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Is he quiet?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What, then?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. occurred." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "One of his hands." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution it with his own hands." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Upon what point?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Never." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is time." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Entirely." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly keep the flames under. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she come either from the window or the door. My attention was sofa. This way, please!" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "No?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out take the flies, but not before." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. yourselves in at night?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "And how did you find out?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence evidence," I remarked. in the dead of the night?' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, approach us with offers to donate. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hardly wander." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Will you go?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Pope's Court. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had meant." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another over here." lamp. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous mystery may be cleared along those lines." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we opened the door, and slipped through. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an interested in these little problems, and since you are good the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and glanced through. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I will, Miss Turner." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror before, for it was considerably after midnight. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "This photograph!" companion imperturbably. discontent upon his features. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "You know me, then?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of seen the man in the road." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that pity, because in other respects you would really have done very dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come The events in question occurred in the early days of my you in yours." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Clair, of Lee." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to a good hundred miles off by now." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of then?" "'Entirely.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" had this final quarrel? house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and redistribution. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which one of them." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage golden eyeglasses. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in placed his cuttings. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may beg that you will break it off." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "A client, then?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the matter." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And know that the truth is known." ways of our fellow-men." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in system of imprisonment?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that village inn over there?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the roots. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You horrify me." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Where to?' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My