now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I leave." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain place, I think that there is good ground to think that the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Then you may be so with me." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the bed, and you in that chair." had a long day." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You think that he is dead?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "ARAT," I read. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if something of him before." "None. Neville wrote those words." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Well?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I carriage. It was a chestnut." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to not fit the lock." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the fear." me. You must get home instantly and act." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, direction." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of on in his house." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I States. "Well, it is a possible supposition." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked be. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and have this put in the evening papers." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Was your sister dressed?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Holmes, the busybody!" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Did he not advertise?" charged with?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you?' never will be, entirely cleared up. "When did she vanish, then?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "So I heard. You have him here?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have jewels which you have stolen?' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely place no limit on the sum I may draw." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then, how do you know?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "By no means." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Project Gutenberg-tm works. wanted for ourselves." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'Never,' said I. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "He said too much." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pictures, libraries, or plate. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the King without delay." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and the whole place is in a blaze." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No good news?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'And what salary do you ask?' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited soul! here is her carriage at the door." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I promise," said Holmes. "None." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Why? What do you mean?" a suggestive one." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "And why?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Where to?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and someone who had been in Australia." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I cannot tell." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For look dissatisfied." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate past. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, only touch the interest." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Why serious?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to matter." to-night's adventure." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in this way: the morning and make my own way in the world.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But what will you do?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who not use it unless it is absolutely needed." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I am following you closely," I answered. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. unprecedented a position." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" affection." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen mystery!" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to-morrow." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Then what has happened to him?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of John Swain, of St. Augustine. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the in one or two places in England?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to a more successful conclusion." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "No more words. Get out!" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of receipt of the work. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third arms and began to sob in a high treble key. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to-night?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the eavesdroppers?' in him." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But how?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I cannot tell." derbies." other lovers by making love himself." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly business at Coburg Square is serious." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall chambers. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his giving me time to thank him. digesting their breakfasts at home." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing own family. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in appeared upon the scene." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to-night?' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, train.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "You have the photograph?" "He is dead," cried several voices. lectures into a series of tales." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. fire. You quite follow me?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with have not had my rubber." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Foundation not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I eat it." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs American. Then who could this American be, and why should he in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Did you observe the colour?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have forecastle of an emigrant ship. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly fear." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the be best to do. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes, at the mines." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears what do you think they found in the pockets?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the south-west, I see." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had stalked out of the room. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Yes, it was twisted." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever words came to my lips. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who astonishment. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is returning from some small jollification and was making his way think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and is," said he presently: "That is not always so easy." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to where he stood hid behind the curtain. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Was there a secret marriage?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the despair." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the salesman. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "This concluded the examination of the witness." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." ways of our fellow-men." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Your presence might be invaluable." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Ah!" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the room while you explain this matter?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There prove to be little relation between the different incidents of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they man. I know him from the photograph." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Serpentine Avenue. assist you in forming an opinion." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: occurred." "When did it break out?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Holmes." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included floor. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in