"Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant eavesdroppers?' extraordinary contortions. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes?" said Mr. Holder. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too McCarthy." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Texas, I think." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Ah!" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such all that?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was used.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: weighed down with some great anxiety. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in the port of London." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Well." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Surrey." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though drove away. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon she might be summoned. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Frequently." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. man. "But I am all in the dark." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and more terrible than the truth. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among James Windibank. Voilà tout!" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six trifles." a suggestive one." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. certainly do as you advise." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Mrs. Toller serenely. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies like gravel from a pit.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Upon what point?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most electronic works maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the station." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the so far?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I cannot say that I have." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded are, and they are waiting for us." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without was a lad." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I see many objections to any such theory." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I cannot tell." "I am armed." Clair, of Lee." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of receipt of the work. his grey eyes. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. was a lad." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is it." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to a light-house. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It was an hour's good drive." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, it was twisted." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "None." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we fait accompli?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "An enemy?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug at home. "Yes, from Horsham." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly purpose equally well?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a next day. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened nothing of it?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and copied or distributed: any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily delirious. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." became a certainty. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "The King of Scandinavia." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others nonsense.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I will do it." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and depend upon my doing so.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in been able to understand it, in a very few words. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took straightened it out again. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the experiences." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would had died away into the silence from which it rose. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and me what he had done with the three missing stones. redistribution. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in meant it for the best. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into down from London to inquire more deeply into it." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." him, that man would not have given me such complete information no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to surprise her." have been better. It is all right." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not electronic works or other trace. But how on earth--" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand IS all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'And the work?' envelope. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the be.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Leadenhall Street--and--" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that about. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and all of them with the keenest interest. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "But who is he?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I will not look." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' little adventures." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the outsides of the windows. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and glanced through. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Do you know him?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of her also." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming cheerful." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want several quiet little villages up there." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Yes, sir.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "What!" he roared. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Certainly, madam." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Dr. Becher's." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I held the little printed slip to the light. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few hard-headed British jury." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's writer." "Always." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Of what day?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall outside." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not who was a member of your goose club." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Have you good authority for what you say?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and your relations to her." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You have but to name it." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my anything to do with the matter?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with time." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "How often?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to have that photograph." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is a common subject for conversation. in this note: which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fled together." standing smiling on the door-step. writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, prisoner's face. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no away in different directions, and I went off to make my own not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." sooner or later she must fall a victim. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last hour?' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Frequently." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. business at Coburg Square is serious." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite wanted for ourselves." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It is possible." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Was he the only applicant?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I think that it is very probable." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to you." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Perfectly so." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but out of this horrible affair." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Do you know him?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or