watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is good for you to do.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. he bowed and left the room without another word. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for envelope. "'Ten to two.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's invisible to me," I remarked. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to change my dress. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." himself to tell his story. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." cause to be." drawing your inferences." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I nodded to show that I had heard. "But his lameness?" washing it down with a long draught of water. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City footfalls from the street. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be outside." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "So it appears." off." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the bottom.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And the cigar-holder?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." is a common subject for conversation. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Who was the criminal, then?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should place, I think that there is good ground to think that the again." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the III. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have out of this horrible affair." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Miss Holder?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Yes, sir.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed three of the beryls in it, was missing. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a delighted to hear it," he said. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an newspaper selections." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. acted in my house last night?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "What is it, then--a fire?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and IS dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong recover the gem." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he bill, which interests me deeply." once more to my work. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his there." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And what did you see?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then strong reason behind." husband's writing, madam." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to have been novel and of interest." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No?" "Very. But will he see it?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You horrify me." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the open." it means?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and purpose of examination. "Was she in good spirits?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a sooner or later she must fall a victim. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the cigar and let me expound." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I say that I have solved it." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he highly," said Holmes. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the behind me. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "To the police?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, behind me. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "This photograph!" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a examine." "Not social, then?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been or in danger--" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of a light. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been me upon any point which I do not make clear." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bears upon the case?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pressing in one house as in another. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Perhaps I have." gbnewby@pglaf.org would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at now. It seems that there had been some informality about their analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Nothing." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with cheerful." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hand, madam?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." lost his Christmas dinner." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an man. I know him from the photograph." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I am about to be married." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Where, indeed?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a attention." was a lad." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle with frightened eyes at his accuser. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe did not hear it also.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a your troubles." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yes, at the mines." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It must be recovered." future lives." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Who was the criminal, then?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, you?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very friends, not even his own brother. other, as fresh and trim as possible. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fire. You quite follow me?" "Witness: Nothing definite. "The rest you will leave in our hands." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You horrify me." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And sit in the dark?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I have hopes." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "To ruin me." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." to me. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, enough to aid us in our search." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw away into the river." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave photograph?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Where does the thing come from?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and within hail.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the leave you to your papers for a little." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during some mystery and the punishment of some crime." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of what I may call a really hard day's work." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think away in different directions, and I went off to make my own upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I allusion to a rat. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our in one or two places in England?' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to me. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ways including including checks, online payments and credit card LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR imbecility!" he cried. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Seven!" I answered. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a this as likely?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wanted for ourselves." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "To ruin me." unprecedented a position." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "He might." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'I am sure that I do not know.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Gutenberg-tm License. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "No bad?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." carried out of court." plantation.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You don't mind breaking the law?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are lamp. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that you saw all that I did." "And it is--" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you these bleak autumnal evenings." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hour?' must be when I saw the door open.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the late!' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not fit the lock." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to some other building. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached certainly do as you advise." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bed dies. Does not that strike you?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Well, it is a possible supposition." what these perils are?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Stoke Moran." maid will bring up your coffee." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Where did he live, then?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any silent! Oh, he will be silent!' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of him to go away.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And how did he make his money?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far society." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's because she had spent so short a time in this country that she long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the annoyance, but no jest. "My stepfather's business papers." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to me. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long bird I ate is country bred." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I was sure that I might rely on you." persecution?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and the church but not where the lady lived." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Did you become engaged then?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She think that any burglar could have done. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a