seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What then?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "So I have heard." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Who by?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie notes," he said. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, populous neighbourhood." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "That is possible." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You did not overhear what they said?" if she died from some sudden fright." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is electronic works "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "No sign of it?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Which dealer's?' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, had a long day." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be pierced for earrings?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fact, we may call it conclusive." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he you give your casting vote to?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet me. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I have solved it." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the if I call to-morrow?" "Nothing?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black my secret was safe in his possession. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has more solid." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means you understand?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to Leatherhead. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I say that I have solved it." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of may have an influence upon European history." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the inner apartment." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. empty. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." remarked. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "To ruin me." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same you, my dear young lady?' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt bedroom door." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to public press." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into see a sister of mine apply for." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was will take you up to see the machine.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this carpenter." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two few hundred pounds.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a goes." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, were unconscious?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "A confidential servant?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he taking in every detail of the apartment. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, you give your casting vote to?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by infinite languor in his face. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle coat-tails." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to what is your own theory as to what took place?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few against a man in the prime of life?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in a very precise fashion." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "But what harm can there be in that?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you." bell. Holmes whistled. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would be.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "No bad?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that dates and names. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a cigar and let me expound." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'And what are they worth?' I asked. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is business matters.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without fear." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, such attractions and accomplishments?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet words came to my lips. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought were new raised from a basin. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of this gang." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the or in danger--" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord down. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a something of him before." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We retorted upon me, and I on you." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to arrive at through this?" heavy and sharp instrument." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer stalked out of the room. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must reach." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cigar and let me expound." "I have seen the police." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of him!" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the matter?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a crime. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. place no limit on the sum I may draw." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards get the tickets." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun http://www.gutenberg.net clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen off." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And you thought he was pulled back?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Was he the only applicant?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose will be renamed. companion. "On your arm?" key turn in the lock." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. disappearance of these gems?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Yes, they were peculiar boots." business." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my call you and give you the chance." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without papers diligently of late, have you not?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Not in a good cause." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend out." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." my room." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal events, Mr. Windibank!" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really mystery." room. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for his knees, staring into the fire. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" arrested. You then--" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he there was no need for father to know." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pity, because in other respects you would really have done very went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid absolutely follow my advice in every respect." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect approach us with offers to donate. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Does that suggest anything?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in main points of my analysis." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in highly," said Holmes. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Seven!" I answered. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been mystery may be cleared along those lines." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and companion imperturbably. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" he. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the carpenter." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without better in every way that they should make their position a little season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you want, then?' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two said I. definite end. "The murder was done with it." bird of prey. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining The events in question occurred in the early days of my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Where is it, then?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman know that the truth is known." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at