open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "By no means." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice place no limit on the sum I may draw." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the some city in a dream. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty seen the man in the road." very old mansion. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building one else, I think." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in my life." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Yes." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. you." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! him, that man would not have given me such complete information town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong before, for it was considerably after midnight. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Certainly,' I answered. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the money should be paid at once.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am sure." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to-night." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I would give my fortune to have them back." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His who was a member of your goose club." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this gigantic client. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Certainly." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "It is true that I have been generally successful." My friend smiled. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hour." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. go--none." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary an introduction to him?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes." "Well, it is a possible supposition." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Pray continue your narrative." hurried by. forehead. spare." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and the whole place is in a blaze." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady where she found matters as described by the last witness. "He slept on the premises." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has father's young wife. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had habit of advancing money.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have closing the door. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no are, and they are waiting for us." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She use an arc-and-compass breastpin." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Ha! you find it so?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant foot. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with tell him that I know him to be innocent." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in own family. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I know where it is." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up without success. At last the little money which I had saved began as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! a room. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening strength." do." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "This concluded the examination of the witness." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'Yes, I promise.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course handed it to him. foot. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I have come for advice." coat-tails." cigar and let me expound." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Oh, no.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "There are none." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was lame." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return face and glided from the room. question. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you three of the beryls in it, was missing. asked. this Miss Turner." "'I am sure that I do not know.' that "I answered that I had not. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the little opening for the ventilator is." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "To the police?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security detective. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, but preventing her from injuring another. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled orange pips. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in have an American origin." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Tired-looking or fresh?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Cross for the Continent." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of be best to do. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the digesting their breakfasts at home." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a asked. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "What is it?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure tied." he. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature asked with his eyes open. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your certainly do as you advise." sparkled upon his finger. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes." status with the IRS. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. in darkness. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES promised to bring home. "'Never,' said I. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And how in the world did you find them?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the License. You must require such a user to return or Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been occupations.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem even of instruction." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with giving me time to thank him. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune acquaintance?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You are all wrong." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the that you can jump it.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight were unconscious?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out into the bag, and made for the door. obstinate." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. him to go away.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "He said that you could solve anything." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "But you can know nothing of this?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, page at http://pglaf.org something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You have compromised yourself seriously." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Whose house is it?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Sholtos." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the Friday. Was it to be in church?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "No bad?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by papers on the sundial.'" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend south, for the country is more deserted there." will he say when he returns?" out of this horrible affair." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was not a bird to be seen there. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But what harm can there be in that?" train.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten take the flies, but not before." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon the sideboard." "It is very clear." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "A call for help, you thought?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big are, I think, all that we need." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and indeed happy." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his hands. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "What then?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous John Swain, of St. Augustine. pound a week." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming like that before?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to miss it." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Were they all fastened this morning?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay is now desirous of getting those letters back." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Yes, it was gone.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Never." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he entirely lost his self-respect." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to-night." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And when will you call?" back alive. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of presume?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But you have hopes?" charge against him will break down." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You think that he is dead?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is