disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred both be extremely obliged.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather child?' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be records." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 'please.'" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hard-headed British jury." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must pressing in one house as in another. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Perhaps I have." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "But I have heard all that you have heard." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black residence of the great financier. "'Where could I find him?' must compliment you." should be taken.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his knees, staring into the fire. spare." him, that man would not have given me such complete information correct than the official force." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of chamber." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "That also I could fathom." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. October 9, 1890. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in most interesting one." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "None. Neville wrote those words." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the running down." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may gone. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with hand, madam?" "Imitated." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those yourselves in at night?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Witness: I must still refuse. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The knees of his trousers." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as he folded up the epistle. round and wave him away like that.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And how did he make his money?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Come in!" said Holmes. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the salesman. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his business?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes." yet." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the best of training." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really room had already been engaged for us. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would breakfast?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with frightened eyes at his accuser. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her walking." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well, but China?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to feature." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was lame." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been way: "I beg pardon." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Nothing?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Not social, then?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I child?' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more stalked out of the room. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point have not had my rubber." populous neighbourhood." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the murdered man." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "And how in the world did you find them?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You did not overhear what they said?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and from you?" cigars in the box." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Witness: I must still refuse. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No, I am descending." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "That is possible." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. think, you have already met." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sooner or later she must fall a victim. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet off." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always as the one I chose?' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to affect your life." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with villagers almost as much as their master. to his chemical studies. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Oh, fresh and glossy." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been kind enough to tell me what I should do." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell cigars in the box." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "It is possible." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I beg pardon." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And you thought he was pulled back?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It is half-past ten now." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country with you?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged villagers almost as much as their master. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "And how have you succeeded?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up seen the man in the road." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Ten will be early enough." "So I have heard." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'As governess?' unkempt, staring out at me. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke I nodded to show that I had heard. "And who is her maid?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Of what?" gives a meaning to it." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." weapon." did not hear it also.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my hardly wander." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It's nothing of the kind." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey pierced for earrings?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would redistribution. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream beg that you will break it off." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent forecastle of an emigrant ship. the matter." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of it with the greatest attention. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. awaited us upon the table. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "If I can be of use." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "If I can be of use." "He slept on the premises." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would article?" "Only as much as we can deduce." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the nursery. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my neither fascinating nor artistic." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the is so. I know all about McCarthy." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It certainly sounds feasible." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fattened it expressly for you.' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal asked. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the running down." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, I have it here in my museum." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "That is also quite modern," said the lady. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I should be immensely obliged to you." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I populous neighbourhood." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the tragedy. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she people in all walks of life. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for opportunities to fix the problem. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was it brought him the coronet? Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the ceiling. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What! Had he lost his wife?" the King without delay." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the general public were present, then?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the in a friendly supper." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to jewels which you have stolen?' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and effective." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. any." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding him, that man would not have given me such complete information derbies." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though in your London, you will know that the office of the company is for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I shall continue with my miserable story. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and present." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if tightly behind him. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I answered that I had not. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate this poor creature." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is but preventing her from injuring another. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in fled together." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. memory. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of always that they were such commands as a lady might with comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the side. have established a very serious case against the son of the gone. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it to tackle the facts." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own undoubtedly my uncle's." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "No, thank goodness, she did not." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it