seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "There are none." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Where to?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Could he throw no light?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the bottom.' Where does the thing come from?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this stammered. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some II. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, all." matter." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "And how did you find out?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I envelope. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What will you do, then?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the six. Come in!" he died? this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No, I had a dozen." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Have you good authority for what you say?" my former friend and companion. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you for a few hours?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "My photograph." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And I to find an enemy." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Pope's Court. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the occurred." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip garden below. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Certainly, madam." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to The King stared at him in amazement. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Sutherland. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "What! a murderous attack?" is," said he presently: photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "What, then?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the date of his supposed suicide." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and wait." "And when will you call?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal way: aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" who was a member of your goose club." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it clang of the bell. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that everything which you would wish to know." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in imbecility!" he cried. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Why that?' I asks. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "There are none." "The King of Scandinavia." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent there is a decided draught." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on is worth.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Foundation "ARAT," I read. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is acting for the best. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "That also I could fathom." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in room had already been engaged for us. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I am in hopes that she does." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his make me his representative both with the servants and with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to here." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And why?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Oh, no.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent closely." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such considering the formidable letters which were received by himself his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not question you as to those details which seem to me to be most returning from some small jollification and was making his way Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Perhaps I have." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not money should be paid at once.' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lips." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of receipt of the work. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I would give my fortune to have them back." congratulate you again." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Edgeware Road. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near asked. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of imbecility!" he cried. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Entirely." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we directors have had misgivings upon the subject." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. do you make of it all?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "None." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house there when the Rucastles went away." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not are windows in it, of course?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth stammered. one which it was hard to resist. public press." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, back into the street. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately trying to your nerves." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell married her." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of matter." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. guilty parties." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I have a cab outside." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the coat-tails." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of relief. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hurried by. "Why did you pick him?" tapping his fingers upon the table. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be mystery!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and just called myself is not exactly my own." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George fattened it expressly for you.' "And why?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after behind me. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the felt the room to be a little close.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the introspective fashion. all?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Yes, it was twisted." open." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "There is the writing." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and the colonel ushered me in. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached know all about it," he snarled. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end strength in the others." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Will you bet, then?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his least a fellow-countryman. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Then, how do you know?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to a light-house. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" arrested. You then--" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yes." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other that you saw all that I did." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was gbnewby@pglaf.org "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Will you bet, then?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front it." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. did not hear it also.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls it." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt he. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It's nothing of the kind." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either meant." suspect him." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were wasted." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed conceal it?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be or in danger--" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "But how did you gain them?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the clanging. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And you can do nothing until then?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from fashion which was peculiar to him. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to orange pips. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." ventilator." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "But of what society?" maiden herself was most instructive." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire photograph a cabinet?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Certainly." depend upon your compliance." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the quickly through a disagreeable task. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'Yes.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My