Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls your only hope of safety." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes observed. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in chill to my heart. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the loss of it. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such until night should bring an explanation. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Who was the criminal, then?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is she has been waylaid. There has been no result." empty. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I fear not." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you there were one or two details which were new to me. But the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, confronted him. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was into the bag, and made for the door. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Was the window open?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no detained." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with points in connection with it which never have been, and probably classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Watson," he said cordially. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and a shock of very red hair. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my me upon any point which I do not make clear." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And how did he make his money?" to-night?" I asked. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and if only as a check to my own memory." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of house for five minutes.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly that there was nothing in it, after all." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some think you a quite exceptional woman." "Then, as to money?" you." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a plantation.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black friend's singular character. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Why, what do you mean?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, enough to aid us in our search." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing have one." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then, as to money?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a happened." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." lips." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was purpose of examination. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Precisely." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very business matters.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven meanly of me." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; kind enough to tell me what I should do." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." matters immensely." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." paper in the air. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the noting anything else of interest. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Ample." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the matters immensely." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Street. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes, certainly." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You residence of the great financier. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His coroner's jury." "'I have heard so.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. occurred." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When business matters.' "What I expected to see." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that before taking the final step I should like to submit the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear flock.' might help us?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Bought." hopeless attempt at recovering them." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham might help us?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread head. So long, then!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" had a long day." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "How did he come?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards existence." "A greater distance to travel." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage prisoner's face. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, imbecility!" he cried. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well?" woven round him. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to into the bag, and made for the door. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hand, madam?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I will try. What is it?" gone. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your less than 26s. 4d. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had wall." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Oh, no.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And sit in the dark?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what father's young wife. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Ten will be early enough." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read your sleep?' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Does that suggest anything?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. if she died from some sudden fright." Clair, of Lee." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Leadenhall Street--and--" exactly what you advise." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so me. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and wait." empty. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls showing my impatience. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And you thought he was pulled back?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His conceal it?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to recover the gem." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was address. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Come in!" said he. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon stammered. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'How far from the body?' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son than to us. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was it brought him the coronet? this as likely?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Cross for the Continent." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "How did you trace it, then?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove humiliation." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. was a lad." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Oh, yes, easily." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. shoulder; "he's all right." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "That is not always so easy." "Of what day?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as disappearance of the bride.'" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "We have tried and failed." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal written. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Very truly yours, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No more words. Get out!" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that power." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And how did you verify them?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. woven round him. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Not I." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower