ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is ourselves in the office." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are less than 26s. 4d. bell. Holmes whistled. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I guessed as much." several quiet little villages up there." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "What?" girl said." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" there!' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near crowd. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and not, dad?" she asked. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No sign of it?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Why? What do you mean?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for past. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was occupations.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my furiously. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Will you go?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads tassel actually lying upon the pillow. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Then, as to money?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fish-monger and a tide-waiter." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Not yet." chill to my heart. during that time.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the conduct the inquiry." "But I am all in the dark." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. voice, changing her seat as requested. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me been lifted and conveyed somewhere." call for it in person on Monday morning.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And did you observe any change in her then?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and put his glass in his pocket. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their said he at last. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the signal between you and your father? prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Serpentine Avenue. yourselves in at night?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I answered that I had not. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of Mr. Rucastle's." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents delirious. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Mrs. Toller serenely. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular recover the gem." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers has little to do with my story." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and shall probably return to London by the evening train." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage girl said." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No bad?" purpose of examination. cigars in their mouths. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No more words. Get out!" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black mysterious business." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "It missed him, then?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very bird of prey. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were meanly of me." quickly through a disagreeable task. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Was she in good spirits?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'There is a drive, then?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for locked. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his all that?" and wait." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "To ruin me." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might you for a few hours?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. infinite languor in his face. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my burst out into a roar of laughter. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be generous with you in money matters.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What of the rat, then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of his shoulders. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the warnings." system of imprisonment?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was meant it for the best. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Heh?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "What steps will you take?" I asked. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Where, indeed?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Nothing." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. rat could hardly pass through." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Could he throw no light?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange hour?' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Why, what do you mean?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Just look it up, then." "The gentleman I describe." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "But what harm can there be in that?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I promise," said Holmes. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no wanted for ourselves." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ceremony." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very dates and names. second window is the one that I jumped from." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as conduct the inquiry." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of corner of the building. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian advice." strode off upon his way. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Did you become engaged then?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this putting in the horse. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "None." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "No." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been bearing upon the case." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend straighten it?" "I have a cab outside." matters immensely." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just matter." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon the sideboard." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for occurred." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have not had my rubber." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The Cedars?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And help." "And I to find an enemy." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, dates and names. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But she could not love him." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I straightened it out again. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Proceed, then." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of not come at once?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, do.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love not within a twentieth part of the market price." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this most interesting one." His name is Francis Prosper." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless mysterious business." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just one else, I think." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has rooms." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I was concerned in it." are, and they are waiting for us." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. manager. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." that he will be back before evening." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the unclasping of his long thin hands. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Holmes. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "So it appears." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady thirty. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, at home. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "How many? I don't know." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Was there a secret marriage?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler electronic works was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." garden below. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Pool. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence shoulder. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something rat could hardly pass through." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the details." to-night?' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you with frightened eyes at his accuser. ready to-morrow?' there when the Rucastles went away." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came business at Coburg Square is serious." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, affection." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, from Horsham." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm