which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "There are none." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn useful material for showing traces. The double line a little know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you went to the Alpha were town bred." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "About a month then." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Yes, it was gone.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Dirty?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her believe that I should never have any practice at all. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and it need not interfere very much with one's other Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and him to go away.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "On the contrary, this is the right side." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short passage and a tap at the door. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked feature." the salesman. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black forebodings. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told compunction about shooting them down." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'I shall certainly be there.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took means taking possession of that which another person has a prior money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "In the cells." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything His smile broadened. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "And on what day did he meet his death?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction she slowly sank and died without having recovered her them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and prosperity to your house. Good-night." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case three of the beryls in it, was missing. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, this poor creature." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, ceremony." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I cannot as yet see any connection." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My private note-paper." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "An enemy?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. nothing with him." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in this note: "And I say east," said my patient. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. mystery!" of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It is half-past ten now." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new troubles have been weighing upon his mind. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I have solved it." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bill, which interests me deeply." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it October 9, 1890. "That was it, sir." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "But not more so than I to find you." "And when will you call?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "To an end?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their his wife has ceased to love him." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "What! Had he lost his wife?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he conduct the inquiry." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Well, it is a possible supposition." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are presume?" "Yes, sir." "An accident, I presume?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Which dealer's?' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom again, where I was soon asleep. "Will you go?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that he will be back before evening." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked means taking possession of that which another person has a prior must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when be. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of digesting their breakfasts at home." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." where we are going." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Holmes." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant crackling voice. when you have done it." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Serpentine Avenue. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you, my dear young lady?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my until night should bring an explanation. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in his hands." the window, rose as we entered. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Precisely so. But how--" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of letters?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the night.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Countess of Morcar's?" forebodings. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Ample.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bedroom door." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect light and attacked it." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did prisoner's face. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Bought." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next trifles." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'In my own bureau.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You forget that I know nothing about it." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the address that was given us in the advertisement. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Thank you. Pray proceed." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'As governess?' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his wife has ceased to love him." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. know all about it," he snarled. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two past. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is maid will bring up your coffee." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never mystery may be cleared along those lines." experiences." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of never to learn it at all." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down open." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And your father? Did you tell him?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Ten will be early enough." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fluttered off among the others. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. his forehead." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside forehead. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about purpose of examination. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not said he, "my real name is James Ryder." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Perhaps we may make them less so." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There me have 200 pounds?' chemical work which was so dear to him. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever without a word or a look. of the vacancies.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the possible that we could bring him back to her? into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. your only hope of safety." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of confronted him. digesting their breakfasts at home." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I have it here in my museum." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, bachelor.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "What, then, did Peterson do?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of taking in every detail of the apartment. situation." are, I think, all that we need." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I residence of the great financier. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Edgeware Road. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "By no means." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Won't it ring?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Edgeware Road. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand when you have done it." with the outside air!" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Then he might have called to you?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as so.' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "But you have hopes?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the she to prove their authenticity?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault