strong reason behind." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in as yours." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was were unconscious?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then despaired of." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are begin with, and I had not got mine yet." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop criminal. We have already had experience of such." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My made him keep the appointment." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I nodded again. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I cannot imagine." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Can I be of assistance?" "Where, then?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I think it very unlikely." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens speckled band?" him and tried to hold him back. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "That you are never beaten." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the people don't know." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her back to my heart. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "To an English lawyer named Norton." for the market.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered bill, which interests me deeply." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes, only one." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I should like to see him very much." have been better. It is all right." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were bore every mark of being an average commonplace British occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Where to?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I guessed as much." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire works. See paragraph 1.E below. true." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I promise," said Holmes. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 1.F. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his girl said." "Yes?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no forebodings. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his were wasted." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the so-precious time, but come!' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock could go. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a few minutes he said that it would be all right. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside papers on the sundial.'" "Nearly eleven." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Not in a good cause." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and This is what he says: of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we fasten all the windows?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What! a murderous attack?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Who was the criminal, then?" do.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a our word." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an experiences." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known over his head with a sweet womanly caress. salesman. "No, I think that I'll take it." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "This concluded the examination of the witness." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and inquire as to the address." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its notes," he said. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right brain must have something in it." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "In which, sir?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I daring than any effort of the imagination." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose client, rising. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "How about poison?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the stones. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads yourselves in at night?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was used.' "And help." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I cannot think." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if once more to my work. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." enter into my head. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to-night's adventure." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is it were putty." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my photograph?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then you may entirely rely on me." of the vacancies.' once more for Briony Lodge. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms directly by questioning you." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and brandy and water within his reach. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "But how could you guess what the motive was?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the have got?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of your young ladies.' you." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to outbreak?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, strength." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew him to be an active member of the medical profession." late." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when papers." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "It is possible." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young away in different directions, and I went off to make my own himself to tell his story. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "None." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' answer." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short lost nothing by them." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual IS my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in might help us?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." careless servant girl?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'A dozen yards or so.' think, you have already met." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother way in." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it ran thus: "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the little opening for the ventilator is." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking may never be exposed to such a temptation." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "And how did you verify them?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, residence of the great financier. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless ways of our fellow-men." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Precisely so. But how--" States. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no relief. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Well?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of power." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner next day. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Look there!" said he. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "But I have heard all that you have heard." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and it were putty." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Why? What do you mean?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands crowd. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You carpenter." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Entirely.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable wall." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." investigation." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "To ruin me." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a