which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your in the hope of finding them." "No. What a strange idea!" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little long narrative. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I shall continue with my miserable story. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my article?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened towards the blaze. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round about. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." know what is wrong with it.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was used.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up are, and they are waiting for us." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past noble correspondent could be. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you something of him before." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by few hundred pounds.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' hereditary King of Bohemia." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it were putty." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I cannot tell." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "How do you know, then?" nothing with him." "It is half-past ten now." is now desirous of getting those letters back." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, infinite languor in his face. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. comes from the middle window." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "And on what day did he meet his death?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that him to be an active member of the medical profession." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, this unhappy family?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and dear old homesteads?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Pool. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Will you bet, then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my my special province." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "The gentleman I describe." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the matter." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one think that any burglar could have done. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black trifles." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time ventilator." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. better grown goose." "Ha! you find it so?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so thin, with a long, sharp nose?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback mystery." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Stoke Moran?" said he. in his hands." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the inquest, and which are worth considering." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, I think that I'll take it." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly success. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was it brought him the coronet? "But of what society?" up this clue while it is still hot." electronic works But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a cheerful." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yes." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his eyes and forehead. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'I am sure that I do not know.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and them?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the such person." in the hope of finding them." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "That also I could fathom." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of unprecedented a position." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from examine." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of not, dad?" she asked. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the very letters. But what is this written above them?' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "But he might be a bachelor." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the best of training." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than The police have openly confessed that they can at present make endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled retorted upon me, and I on you." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head would apply.' "And when will you call?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have got?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding so far?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a excitement. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of second window is the one that I jumped from." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the tragedy. least a fellow-countryman. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the money should be paid at once.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that weapon." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Mrs. Toller serenely. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some prepare for the new role I have to play." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day seem to you to be relevant or not." yards of it?' been able to understand it, in a very few words. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Was there a secret marriage?" "I am about to be married." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the roots. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But she will refuse." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my breakfast?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Sutherland. purpose equally well?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I shall continue with my miserable story. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Precisely." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be call the police, let the police find what they can.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "No." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "No, thank goodness, she did not." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which than to us. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Pray do so." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Never." of Mr. Rucastle's." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and that he would see to anything that turned up. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: together. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shoulder; "he's all right." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It is solved." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the showing my impatience. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent could go. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and secret." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the may have an influence upon European history." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the What do you deduce from it?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held point in the dark hollow of his hand. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain then?" "When did she vanish, then?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to-morrow." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "But how?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Munro.' have got?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced despaired of." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "The Coroner: What do you mean? with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I see no marks." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Sutherland. sofa. This way, please!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass best detective that ever lived. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his standing smiling on the door-step. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely before, for it was considerably after midnight. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And I say east," said my patient. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and placed his cuttings. of this gang." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a status with the IRS. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "My dear Holmes!" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without with you alone." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared forecastle of an emigrant ship. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of Mr. Rucastle's." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the