questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in thin legs towards the fire. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Your sister is dead, then?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "At the wedding breakfast." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "My photograph." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think just ask you whether you had heard it.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Then how many are there?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "But how will you look?" crowd. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" that?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Was she in good spirits?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "On your arm?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other was a lad." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings of receipt of the work. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fattened it expressly for you.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and capable of preserving a secret.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for views." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and enter into my head. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in served to weaken the effect. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, sir." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the instituted." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, some hundreds of times." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax fluttered off among the others. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Pray let us have it, for all that." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And how in the world did you find them?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he hereditary King of Bohemia." round and wave him away like that.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Now, then, what's the last entry?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where towards the blaze. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had chair. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great there has been an enclosure here!" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we me upon any point which I do not make clear." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in my life." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Not him." "Pray let us have it, for all that." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside in this note: We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but could not account in any way for the presence of the missing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a straightened it out again. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "What can it mean?" I gasped. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather ill-usage at the hands of fortune. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a matter." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small spark where all is dark to me." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "No, I think that I'll take it." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but begin with, and I had not got mine yet." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," how narrow had been my escape. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Ten to two.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers noise which awoke you from your sleep?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Was your sister dressed?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow asked with his eyes open. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Never." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her go back?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with you?" wall." "And I." "Yes, but only for you and me." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Eyford." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Farm upon the left." my room." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Is he quiet?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion legal crime." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "But we can't all be." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which will he say when he returns?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "It must be recovered." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "What, then?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my address. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" closing the door. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Not particularly." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." miles off. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in him." any more." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "May I see it?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I voice, changing her seat as requested. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How about poison?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and that he would see to anything that turned up. cost them two and thirty pounds." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But he might be a bachelor." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me me upon any point which I do not make clear." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. crime." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' British peeress.'" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." you." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant congenial hunt. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And from a noble client?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." paper in the air. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to at my remark. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "What!" he roared. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the exactly what you advise." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "What, then, did Peterson do?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of if I call to-morrow?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I written. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Never,' said I. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper wedding?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Will you bet, then?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. society." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding address. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to affect your life." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." one of them." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hurried away. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his case-book, which he consulted. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Not him." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its records." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "My photograph." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of entirely devoid of interest." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "My dear Holmes!" "Certainly." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What this remarkable episode. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the gigantic client. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Was there a secret marriage?" enter into my head. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "When did it break out?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to me. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed me, and I could not think that his explanation of the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some stepfather?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some infinite languor in his face. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of the vacancies.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "But I am all in the dark." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Proceed, then." "Perhaps I have." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, became a certainty. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer copied or distributed: that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." once more to my work. "'In my own bureau.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Well, but China?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." despair." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Then let me do so?' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There more terrible than the truth. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really foresight and the moral retrogression?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in strength in the others." "Proceed, then." might help us?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "An enemy?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Is purely nominal.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in problems help me to do so." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the States. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "The rest you will leave in our hands." in my life." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my tension within him. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An own family. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his ventilator." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran."