"Did you observe the colour?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. easy-going way." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That annoyance, but no jest. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we place of silver." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door call it cruel." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of your young ladies.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I was sure that I might rely on you." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and if she died from some sudden fright." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and front of me. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the should be so warm over such a trifle." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," them?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'And the work?' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the true." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his my friend's incisive reasoning. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "To the police?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I beg pardon." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, place of silver." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the have established a very serious case against the son of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, presume?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as silent! Oh, he will be silent!' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Count Von Kramm." beyond words. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is 11:15.' lamp in his hand. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "My dear Holmes!" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply one of them." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case enough to aid us in our search." him!" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yes." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in awkward doing business with an alias." that?' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing there is a decided draught." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Is he quiet?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. your troubles." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in own family. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not best detective that ever lived. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am suddenly upon us." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And how did he make his money?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I came to find a friend." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I can to serve you." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I never have." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I should be immensely obliged to you." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On indeed happy." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Did you observe the colour?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I am sure." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, exactly what you advise." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But the mystery?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Count Von Kramm." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a head. So long, then!" "You think that he is dead?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain train from Paddington which would bring you there at about flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I shall communicate with you." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "What! Had he lost his wife?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "But not more so than I to find you." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then he might have called to you?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the desk. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought chill to my heart. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and the church but not where the lady lived." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in his hands." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Lee, in the county of Kent." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could system of imprisonment?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is were unconscious?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, back alive. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "On Monday." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank begin with, and I had not got mine yet." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door been with you?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted could gather together that I was able to avert another public elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm him, that man would not have given me such complete information out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? more solid." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my keep the flames under. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me ago." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so foresight and the moral retrogression?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation." what I may call a really hard day's work." "You are all wrong." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from as this. Pray let me have the details." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an stood on the top of it. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It interested in these little problems, and since you are good but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Ah, but I was recommended to you." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, your own bird, so if you wish--" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and that he would see to anything that turned up. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that I can to serve you." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his you in yours." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred during that time.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an stalked out of the room. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord straighten it?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may yet." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bonnet, and went out." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of started for the Temple to see my husband. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It was an hour's good drive." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And your father? Did you tell him?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Of Friday, June 19th." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I would pay ten." "I assure you that I am in your hands." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "What! You do not mean bodies?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." strength in the others." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in. records." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" have been better. It is all right." presented more singular features than that which was associated hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at is so. I know all about McCarthy." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, secret." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What! You do not mean bodies?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My father's place of business?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in entirely lost his self-respect." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of it." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And the murderer?" "'Oh, no.' "The knees of his trousers." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he followed. or other trace. But how on earth--" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold believe that I should never have any practice at all. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner bare slabs of marble. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found had this final quarrel? a good hundred miles off by now." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder come either from the window or the door. My attention was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was your Highness to the police-station?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man forehead. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and effective." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Nothing." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "The gentleman I describe." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have details." as the one I chose?' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water