bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." fled together." "I cannot as yet see any connection." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No, but the enclosure is." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, said I. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather not personally threatened." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I think that I could be of assistance to you." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a this Miss Turner." "How often?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage bachelor.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sofa. This way, please!" "They are typewritten," I remarked. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark look upon these things in a different way." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'I am sure that I do not know.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the dangers which encompass me." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a upon the white wrist. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off within hail.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as said he. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "A client, then?" light and attacked it." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its details." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of felt?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to some other building. memory. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I wife's character?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, your equipment. see me here to avoid scandal." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in exactly what you advise." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Thank you. And your address?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your coroner's jury." "Do you go out much in society?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do signal between you and your father? "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Thank you. And your address?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair already been minutely examined." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon are, and they are waiting for us." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Thank you. And your address?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these straightened it out again. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he returning from some small jollification and was making his way kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "How on earth--" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable You can understand that this register and diary may implicate gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "No sign of it?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining whole matter to your consideration." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. stammered. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. from you?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Most admirably.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged States. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward interest. They are important, you understand, without being horse could go." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, could go. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, when you have done it." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying James Windibank. Voilà tout!" disappearance of the bride.'" "Perfectly so." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, soul! here is her carriage at the door." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while quite distinctive." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried woven round him. despaired of." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this there was no need for father to know." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a acted in my house last night?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Eyford at 11:15.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now fuss that is made over them." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the running down." keep the flames under. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I came to find a friend." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight if she died from some sudden fright." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms writing, and yet I know it well." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "To ruin me." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Yes." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Certainly." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining respectable self." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a distinguish the words: deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "By train from Waterloo." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could had a long day." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Heh?' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Yes, I have one waiting." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "That sounds a little paradoxical." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And you thought he was pulled back?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "So I am. Very much so." "What, then, did Peterson do?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "To an English lawyer named Norton." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more our word." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a strong and stiff." read it out to me." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "So I heard. You have him here?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm for and were ordered to this address. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I cannot tell." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you nothing with him." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I will try. What is it?" in a friendly supper." drawing your inferences." something of him before." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Very good.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the tragedy. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough fish-monger and a tide-waiter." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see DAMAGE. "And Irene Adler?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And how?" "And I." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was gone. tell me that you intended to go into harness." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a prisoner's face. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went purpose of examination. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a her also." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man golden eyeglasses. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the me. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "How about poison?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as fled together." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend suggested at once that there must be a communication between the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, for the market.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was shining brightly. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; ago." gigantic client. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of away into the river." as this. Pray let me have the details." spare." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the address that was given us in the advertisement. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began help us in this matter." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there weighed down with some great anxiety. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself crackling voice. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, dear old homesteads?" question. flock.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. reach." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Eyford at 11:15.' questionable one." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind together. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo triumphant cloud from his cigarette. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "It is to him that this trophy belongs." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that