Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could straightened it out again. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Chief Executive and Director compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as examine." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has bore every mark of being an average commonplace British family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been said I. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that you wished to speak to me?' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Count Von Kramm." take the flies, but not before." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the there in twenty minutes." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow your most interesting statement." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical attention." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Oh, yes, easily." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I cannot imagine." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It is very kind of you." "When did it break out?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies walking." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' tear off another piece?' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And the murderer?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should you understand?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'I have already given you my word.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Who was the criminal, then?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Never.' "You think that he is dead?" murdered man." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from breakfast." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Which dealer's?' criminal. We have already had experience of such." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you in your example." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, business came to an end." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You were travelling in the States?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, secret." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Never to return." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our writing, and yet I know it well." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave father's place of business?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting appeal." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose handed it to him. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point it? Did I buy the geese off you?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Ample.' you understand?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger flock.' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. purpose equally well?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'What are you doing there?' he asked. article?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Literary Archive Foundation at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Was she in good spirits?" it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of both be extremely obliged.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, window when the police appeared." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I approached. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes' thin, eager face. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. tied." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You were travelling in the States?" "None." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and arrangements." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his people in all walks of life. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes, sir." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight security.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue will take you up to see the machine.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself me what he had done with the three missing stones. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of golden eyeglasses. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to tackle the facts." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in my life." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was fluttered off among the others. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that before taking the final step I should like to submit the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What shall I do?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It but preventing her from injuring another. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to back alive. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he your own bird, so if you wish--" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Oh, fresh and glossy." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to system of imprisonment?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that I may have something better before very many minutes are compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room weapon." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit fire. You quite follow me?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was an hour's good drive." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up here and I will read it to you: "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, her also." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Is purely nominal.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Stoke Moran?" said he. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I answered that I had not. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "He is dead," cried several voices. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, were wasted." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "No." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and bill, which interests me deeply." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss bird of prey. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young entirely devoid of interest." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect several quiet little villages up there." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my a room. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the address that was given us in the advertisement. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, said he. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the stones. page at http://pglaf.org "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an without a word or a look. desk. "Eh? What was that?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an chambers. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, room?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where brain must have something in it." Again Holmes raved in the air. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham appointment with me for six o'clock?" examine." "What of the rat, then?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'I have heard so.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and you." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Why? What do you mean?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'I shall certainly be there.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to-morrow." "Why serious?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But you can know nothing of this?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the King without delay." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "He might." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I should like to see him very much." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I have solved it." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the handed it to him. memory. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those window when the police appeared." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the dangers which encompass me." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to happened." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the answer." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. absorbing." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Yes?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in have accepted such a situation. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the address. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice breakfast and whispered something to her husband. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I make me his representative both with the servants and with the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for