sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is possible." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled 1.E.9. address. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Dr. Becher's." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of States. nonsense.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had a very grave face. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as definite end. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew is," said he presently: yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite window when the police appeared." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dates and names. "And how in the world did you find them?" "It was an hour's good drive." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Why? What do you mean?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the putting in the horse. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to once more to my work. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. lumber-room." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project she used." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just your room." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the matter." call for it in person on Monday morning.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned here and I will read it to you: bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'A dozen yards or so.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No more words. Get out!" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." better grown goose." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The could not have written that. It is the German who is so should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "What will you do, then?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Witness: It was. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that purpose equally well?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning use an arc-and-compass breastpin." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." outside. straightened it out again. my friend's incisive reasoning. them?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of amused." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of his shoulders. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "My private note-paper." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect during that time.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything be there in time for your coming." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "What! You do not mean bodies?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the Assizes." and the colonel ushered me in. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my friend's incisive reasoning. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will one which it was hard to resist. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have not had my rubber." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was lame." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, 1.E.9. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My showing my impatience. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the bottom.' you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at key of the affair now." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my enter into my head. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I did not hear it also.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "The gentleman I describe." "Murdered?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." has little to do with my story." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We distinguish the words: convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an wanted for ourselves." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told memory. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these conduct the inquiry." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric have got?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I have a cab outside." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting place no limit on the sum I may draw." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Watson," he said cordially. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand existence." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "The best possible." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "We were both in the photograph." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It is solved." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my room." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "But how?" "Here?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Cross for the Continent." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small beyond words. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you, my dear young lady?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a at once, for I have only half an hour." http://www.gutenberg.net "And leave your case unfinished?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And what then?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and it need not interfere very much with one's other Have you good authority for what you say?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But he might be a bachelor." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "None." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the Friday. Was it to be in church?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the would then never go into court at all." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Nothing." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to used to be." strong and stiff." "At the wedding breakfast." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "The knees of his trousers." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of everything which you would wish to know." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "We have tried and failed." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Ah!" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur were unconscious?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Precisely." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able bonnet, and went out." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I have my revolver," said I. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." carried out of court." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Who by?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. never came back." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I do." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of your young ladies.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the some terrible trap for her." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "The best possible." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet good-night and bustled off upon her way. as this. Pray let me have the details." highly," said Holmes. "No." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and wait." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Yes?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had open." for and were ordered to this address. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of morning." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "And the murderer?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, he did." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to tackle the facts." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds him." "Texas, I think." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds drawing your inferences." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we might help us?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from examine." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your least a fellow-countryman. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic all?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Very much so." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, present." "What can you not understand?" "Deserted you?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." that you saw all that I did." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been