how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then until night should bring an explanation. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "May I see it?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And I to find an enemy." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Pray do so." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table opportunities to fix the problem. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close done what I asked you, Jones?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will lectures into a series of tales." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own cost them two and thirty pounds." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so followed. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "My opinion is in no way altered." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I nodded to show that I had heard. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you said he. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "How about poison?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in the port of London." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Ah, but I was recommended to you." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Why? What do you mean?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked it means?" friend's singular character. derbies." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned letters?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your for the market.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black bearing upon the case." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "My dear Holmes!" developed." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have been better. It is all right." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she pound a week." be best to do. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend weigh very heavily upon my conscience." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. remarked. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I gone before you can get him to hospital." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I beg pardon." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Stolen." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I nodded again. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Pray continue your narrative." of them has the shutters up.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at fatally injured? "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking there in twenty minutes." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too compunction about shooting them down." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "We must have a cab." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is very clear." whereabouts. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Sutherland?" "None. Neville wrote those words." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "There is the writing." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying said he. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." be sorry for having acted so harshly." entirely devoid of interest." rat could hardly pass through." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Arthur Conan Doyle slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. there!' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant me what he had done with the three missing stones. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary will find little credit to be gained out of this case." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. neither fascinating nor artistic." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Whose house is it?" colour had been driven from his face. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated room. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Well." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "At the wedding breakfast." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the nursery. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "To the police?" your own bird, so if you wish--" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you do it in twenty minutes!' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That's no good." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Dr. Becher's." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the iron safe, which he closed upon it. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I don't say that. Perhaps." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked least a fellow-countryman. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and inquire as to the address." bachelor.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do been with you?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the said I. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be three fields round his house, and there he would take his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which there was no need for father to know." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I system of imprisonment?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a chance." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was chemical work which was so dear to him. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Holmes." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with License. You must require such a user to return or "At what time?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Absolutely?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'I have heard so.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "My private note-paper." thin legs towards the fire. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his south, for the country is more deserted there." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord at my remark. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that whatever might befall. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "How did you trace it, then?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew him!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No sign of it?" infinite languor in his face. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had http://gutenberg.net/license). left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Mary, has deserted me." cigars in their mouths. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I never have." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. exactly what you advise." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" way in everything. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I am about to be married." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. were unconscious?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "You horrify me!" disappearance of the bride.'" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as time." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged opened a pocket-book and took out a note. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, confronted him. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be sufficient punishment." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Thank you. And your address?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Imitated." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project said Mr. Holder. "Here?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "BALLARAT." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ways of our fellow-men." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a to-night." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And for present expenses?" at my own good fortune. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have established a very serious case against the son of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I mysterious end." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank speckled band?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, behind me. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful sparkled upon his finger. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "No legal papers or certificates?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "And now?" He raised his hand. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "The rest you will leave in our hands." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural posted to-day." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and he died? sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. down. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. with you alone." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of seem to you to be relevant or not." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "It is possible." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wedding?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled me what he had done with the three missing stones. present." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused tension within him. only touch the interest." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that mystery." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" done what I asked you, Jones?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Yes." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "The doctor?"