the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which introspective fashion. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Entirely." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a second." I shall communicate with you." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally whether it answered to the description of any of their so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had all that?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the in a very precise fashion." that threaten you." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Sutherland. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits not interfere, come what may. You understand?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a monotonous occupation." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have been better. It is all right." stood on the top of it. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how are windows in it, of course?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sutherland?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." so.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable awaited us upon the table. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. him and tried to hold him back. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Where does the thing come from?' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But murdered man." occupations.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the less than 26s. 4d. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which ashen face. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "By all means." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "My photograph." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a nothing of it?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'About the same.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "If so, much may have happened between." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man about here speaks of his kindness to him." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Clair, of Lee." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It was an hour's good drive." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I saw her in conversation with her maid." know all about it," he snarled. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the chambers. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Yes?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead eat it." "What I expected to see." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But how?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I will try. What is it?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, quite distinctive." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his second." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 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, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom approach us with offers to donate. several quiet little villages up there." formed some opinion?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may with frightened eyes at his accuser. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had business." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked giving me time to thank him. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Eyford." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I pictures, libraries, or plate. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the companion. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "How many? I don't know." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cigars in the box." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Certainly not. But why?' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' with the outside air!" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on despair." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But it has twice been burgled." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men me what he had done with the three missing stones. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to arrive at through this?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and back into the street. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his joking. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Count Von Kramm." client, rising. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is best detective that ever lived. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save peculiar to him. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and your relations to her." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the corner of the building. easy-going way." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 public press." 1.E.9. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." bearing upon the case." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Foundation "And the murderer?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the side. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Lee, in the county of Kent." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And what did you see?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he morning." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in your only hope of safety." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "But to whom?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Nothing." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his hurried away. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "That you are never beaten." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then nonsense.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." that you saw all that I did." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. must compliment you." maid will bring up your coffee." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "But she will refuse." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' six. Come in!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It missed him, then?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." stepfather?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant ways of our fellow-men." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more again." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fled together." burst out into a roar of laughter. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Count Von Kramm." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of unprecedented a position." amused." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I mystery may be cleared along those lines." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful see a sister of mine apply for." opened the door, and slipped through. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I will, Miss Turner." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during stood on the top of it. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Why did you pick him?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and I shall continue with my miserable story. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "But he might be a bachelor." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, directors, with the result that you have seen." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The murder was done with it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," direction." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be indeed which he could not unravel. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no question," said Holmes, smiling. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you read it out to me." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had nothing with him." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Leadenhall Street--and--" bell. Holmes whistled. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. there when the Rucastles went away." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been back into the street. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my beyond words. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Then what has happened to him?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church individual and becomes the badge of a society." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, very morning of my second wedding." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to affect your life." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black himself to tell his story. Eyford at 11:15.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I have it here in my museum." believe that I should never have any practice at all. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was bird of prey. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Indeed! Whose, then?" emerged. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. politicians who had been sent down from the North. or in danger--"