Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But she could not love him." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Yes, sir.' "What will you say?" empty. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No. What a strange idea!" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But how?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke coroner's jury." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my speckled band?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained off." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little throat." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned is now desirous of getting those letters back." furiously. ourselves in the office." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. daring than any effort of the imagination." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It was an hour's good drive." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "And what did you see?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You writer." "To an English lawyer named Norton." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Where did you address your letters, then?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Stolen!' he cried. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt written, and locked the door of the office after me. go from here to the Strand." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy newspaper selections." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Ten will be early enough." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from upon the white wrist. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "You have but to name it." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and your relations to her." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Always." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to-night." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it with his own hands." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the King without delay." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter my little problems." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered like that before?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in a very precise fashion." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Was there a secret marriage?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow fatally injured? "And how did you find out?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the best of training." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in only touch the interest." several quiet little villages up there." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he him and tried to hold him back. "That's no good." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to have that photograph." "None. Neville wrote those words." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Who was the criminal, then?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm said he. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Why, what do you mean?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I am all attention, madam." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate which was all perfectly true. highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now arms and began to sob in a high treble key. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I answered that I had not. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest is so. I know all about McCarthy." is four-and-twenty." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Nothing." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate them, and came down just as you departed. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. following enigmatical notices: I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, astonishment. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, handed it to him. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you drove away. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a acquaintance?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after union?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'I have already given you my word.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It residence of the great financier. Gutenberg-tm License. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" is four-and-twenty." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. straightened it out again. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my chill to my heart. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, tapping his fingers upon the table. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I came to find a friend." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little closing the door. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There skylight. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no shall not find me ungrateful." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a said I. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." this remarkable episode. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "What can you not understand?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Eh? What was that?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of it with the greatest attention. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." which we had just quitted. "When did it break out?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Precisely." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And why?" returned to France?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." mysterious end." you give your casting vote to?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chance at all." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And that is--" way in everything. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, forbidden door. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among waste of energy." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building lips." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, any more." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Holmes' room. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "My dear Holmes!" "Always." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly seem to you to be relevant or not." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Literary Archive Foundation figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you, my dear young lady?' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his what these perils are?" "You have a clue?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'I am sure if I had known--' knowledge of the world." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple any more." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his habit of advancing money.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be one of them." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, whole matter to your consideration." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, weighed down with some great anxiety. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I warn you that they are very incomplete." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Pray do so." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet happened." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then late!' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." any little problem which you may submit to me." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'In my own bureau.' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the works. charge against him will break down." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which our visitor detailed to us. "ARAT," I read. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the bell. Holmes whistled. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "How did you trace it, then?" said I. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you people don't know." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! could not have written that. It is the German who is so "But I have heard all that you have heard." the so-precious time, but come!' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this villagers almost as much as their master. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the have I gained?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day galvanised. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his papers." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: shall not find me ungrateful." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." there has been an enclosure here!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot it." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the row." south, for the country is more deserted there." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that