money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Where does the thing come from?' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, appointment with me for six o'clock?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have both be extremely obliged.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there round with crates and massive boxes. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a very grave face. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be spare." arrested. You then--" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and his eyes and forehead. depend upon my doing so.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I shall communicate with you." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" very morning of my second wedding." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to following enigmatical notices: looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead front of me. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you in yours." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" nights." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of this gang." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are definite end. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Can I be of assistance?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the upon the shelf for the interim." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with prison!" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Entirely." at my remark. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest breakfast and whispered something to her husband. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The best possible." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Oh, the cause is excellent!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Did your wife hear all this?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of Mr. Rucastle's." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation him." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue late!' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Yes." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a for the market.' "I will try. What is it?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his II. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the generous with you in money matters.' from you?" about. strong and stiff." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the not, dad?" she asked. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. there." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is mystery." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the key of the affair now." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "A call for help, you thought?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "It was." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for face and glided from the room. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Then let me do so?' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Yes, I promise.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Seven!" I answered. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "In the cells." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your at once, for I have only half an hour." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he gentleman's clothes. is four-and-twenty." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to extraordinary contortions. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' occurred." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how chance at all." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must weigh very heavily upon my conscience." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall characteristics, but those are the more obvious." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "And how did you find out?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in off." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home searched, without anything being found which could incriminate however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Gutenberg-tm License. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Never." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable careless servant girl?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes." crackling voice. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the from the brougham. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "By no means." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This shall not find me ungrateful." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have that the gas is not laid on in his house?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me confronted him. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the running down." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion your sleep?' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you discontent upon his features. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by most important business. It is probable that he will be away all introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." straighten it?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Never.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" the date of his supposed suicide." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray bird of prey. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to should be so warm over such a trifle." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "What, then, did Peterson do?" shoulder; "he's all right." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I cannot think." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the What do you deduce from it?" "At what time?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's there was no need for father to know." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the salesman. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally night.' said he. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on when you have done it." 1.F. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at village inn over there?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, companion imperturbably. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Yes." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "What, then, did Peterson do?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "By train from Waterloo." "That also I could fathom." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'And the work?' me." noble correspondent could be. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the coronet at all injured?" careless servant girl?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fasten all the windows?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened beyond words. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Miss Holder?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you locked." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, his cane at the bell-pull. showing my impatience. to affect your life." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "So it appears." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" horse could go." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel keep the flames under. there." I held the little printed slip to the light. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Where to?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of the way of danger. "Look there!" said he. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can You want to know what became of those geese?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the morning." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are his forehead." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own room. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he everything which you would wish to know." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock do you make of it all?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "What! a murderous attack?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a for the market.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "He is dead," cried several voices. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that II. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I coat-tails." it." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, just called myself is not exactly my own." been shamefully used." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' you?' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too,