glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon best detective that ever lived. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited power." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "My last client of the sort was a king." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who His name is Francis Prosper." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, not come at once?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and matter over." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "None." gives a meaning to it." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "We must have a cab." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hard-headed British jury." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Of Friday, June 19th." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure even so self-evident a thing as that." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But you can know nothing of this?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Do you go out much in society?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for tell me that you intended to go into harness." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fluttered off among the others. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the noting anything else of interest. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up sake, don't!" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And the cigar-holder?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I him, that man would not have given me such complete information someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wedding?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." with frightened eyes at his accuser. one of the states of the Union." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it strength." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I am still in the dark." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more situation." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the window, rose as we entered. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a closely." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more went to the Alpha were town bred." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice just ask you whether you had heard it.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. some water from a caraffe. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, said he at last. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It came here." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than strength in the others." Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his rat could hardly pass through." throat." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "My dear Holmes!" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was business at Coburg Square is serious." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come possible that we could bring him back to her? clang of the bell. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Now, then, what's the last entry?" introspective fashion. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your over part of the map. "What do you read?" overpowering excitement and concern. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'What then?' I asked. instincts rose up against that laugh. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "When did it break out?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his eyes and forehead. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in in this note: great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this thirty. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Certainly,' I answered. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Murdered?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Pray do so." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. address. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would face and glided from the room. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Why? What do you mean?" corner of the building. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look into her hand at the door and which lured her within their pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No good news?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to me. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "How can you tell that?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Witness: I must still refuse. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes, but only for you and me." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let are, I think, all that we need." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to take care of herself." maiden herself was most instructive." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. vault. the inquest, and which are worth considering." upon the shelf for the interim." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the character. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. learned something! Where are the gems?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It surprised me." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms corner of the building. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "How about poison?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And your father? Did you tell him?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far wedding?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, come either from the window or the door. My attention was me what he had done with the three missing stones. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no stepfather?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "In which, sir?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Nothing." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. had picked up in the wood. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I you." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a little more before I quite committed myself. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing passage and a tap at the door. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. plantation.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very delighted to hear it," he said. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. it." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Eyford." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at made him keep the appointment." copied or distributed: to arrive at through this?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which generous with you in money matters.' hour." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector cause to be." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of heavy and sharp instrument." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Was she in good spirits?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the Red-headed League." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up could gather together that I was able to avert another public you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, heavily into it. carriage. It was a chestnut." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment cost them two and thirty pounds." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of the one which your family is now devouring." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt ceremony." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Frequently." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Married! When?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the station." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Not I." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. prison!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I later, upon the night of May 2nd." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have may never be exposed to such a temptation." in this way: the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, disturbance in my wife." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, coroner's jury." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "He slept on the premises." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran