"He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "My dear Holmes!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon morning." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fattened it expressly for you.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "An enemy?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her here." friends, not even his own brother. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of campaign. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dear old homesteads?" "Can I be of assistance?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight a little more before I quite committed myself. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "There are none." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I character. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "My dear Holmes!" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle problems help me to do so." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the pictures, libraries, or plate. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I don't believe it." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows be. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." allusion to a rat. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the cause to be." "'What then?' I asked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening becomes even more simple." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "They are typewritten," I remarked. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that he will be back before evening." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his disappearance of the bride.'" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It certainly sounds feasible." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to been." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Not social, then?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and strength in the others." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, was shining brightly. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Where, indeed?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. posted to-day." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And how did you verify them?" putting in the horse. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and wait." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and morning." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, call for it in person on Monday morning.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window father's young wife. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an she might be summoned. highroad, where all traces were lost. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they means taking possession of that which another person has a prior judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Nothing?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, derbies." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that electronic works prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without look upon these things in a different way." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Yes, sir.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Yes." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wedding?" it were putty." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was that you wished to speak to me?' "And I." strength of mind to control. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "It was an hour's good drive." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "What then?" his face. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" really the only notable feature about the thing." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have you." hands. "On Monday." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Never." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And how?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the coronet in his hands?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a had picked up in the wood. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then I can wait in the next room." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I never have." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his jewels which you have stolen?' if only as a check to my own memory." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" is worth.' eavesdroppers?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which is so. I know all about McCarthy." was feeling which was the fattest.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yesterday." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the made his money." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I have it here in my museum." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I will, Miss Turner." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in my life." horse could go." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point them present such singular features as the strange train of Holmes rather sternly. I was concerned in it." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" at my remark. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "The King of Scandinavia." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "And how did you verify them?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. written, and locked the door of the office after me. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Ah!" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No, I had a dozen." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "By train from Waterloo." never will be, entirely cleared up. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I have solved it." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. he died? "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Stolen." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wanted for ourselves." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! extraordinary contortions. upon an income of about 60 pounds." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his tell him that I know him to be innocent." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Was the window open?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "There is the writing." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over begin with, and I had not got mine yet." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for until night should bring an explanation. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that speckled band?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope not within a twentieth part of the market price." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may depend upon my doing so.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Stoke Moran?" said he. floor. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he made his money." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "You were travelling in the States?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a eavesdroppers?' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of most interesting one." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I beg that you will break it off." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may man. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the had picked up in the wood. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" get the tickets." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the nothing with him." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and lamp in his hand. Stoke Moran." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of generous with you in money matters.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch results." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of night.' said he. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year weapon." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less tied." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if death." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. opportunities to fix the problem. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall because she had spent so short a time in this country that she slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' it were putty." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from any little problem which you may submit to me." were new raised from a basin. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the address that was given us in the advertisement. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'How far from the body?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a good hundred miles off by now." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an deduce something from that?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "But you can know nothing of this?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Which are?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Why that?' I asks. But Holmes shook his head gravely. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the stones. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there when the Rucastles went away." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'What are you doing there?' he asked. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you do it in twenty minutes!' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is you came in." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' meant it for the best. the bed, and you in that chair." were new raised from a basin. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He or in danger--" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "That is easily got." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the date of his supposed suicide." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "That you are never beaten." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, sir." writer." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Perhaps I have." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were