paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No good news?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no present." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We green of the new foliage. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very yards of it?' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Certainly not. But why?' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Quite so. She has her freedom." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I am armed." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "You don't mind breaking the law?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore coroner's jury." memory. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and files of the old papers, following the future career of every every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "My stepfather's business papers." do.' "How many? I don't know." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and future lives." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It missed him, then?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of taking in every detail of the apartment. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. garden below. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'And the work?' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, him." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, you?' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and lamp. later, upon the night of May 2nd." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of unprecedented a position." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, green of the new foliage. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Your presence might be invaluable." to-night." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What!" he roared. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. four million human beings all jostling each other within the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Eh? What was that?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we is so. I know all about McCarthy." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible third from London." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "A client, then?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in gbnewby@pglaf.org open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is photograph?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What is it?" "Was your sister dressed?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to change my dress. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he remarked. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Yes, I promise.' Munro.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become you understand?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." as this. Pray let me have the details." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" became a certainty. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "How did he come?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "A greater distance to travel." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the 'please.'" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "In what way?" asked Holmes. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as the one I chose?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It occupations.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom went to the Alpha were town bred." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP long narrative. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very legal crime." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Certainly, madam." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Absolutely?" "'Ten to two.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "She walked into the breakfast-room." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I do." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his huge brown hands. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who III. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern bill, which interests me deeply." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" grasp, he hurried from the room. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home people in all walks of life. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything quite distinctive." acted in my house last night?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Where, indeed?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am felt?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a trying to your nerves." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you someone who had been in Australia." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this guilty one." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Thank you. Pray proceed." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel records." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But I am all in the dark." "Ten will be early enough." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we writers could invent nothing more crude." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, stalked out of the room. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a door?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in in darkness. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by strong and stiff." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through him nearly every evening." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I mysterious end." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." in my life." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "And it is--" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we happened." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very would apply.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless reach." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But she will refuse." "Precisely so. But how--" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to some other building. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in you." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a matters immensely." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he himself. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "My private note-paper." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "An enemy?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "But she will refuse." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow married her." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which thin legs towards the fire. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so six. Come in!" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "It certainly sounds feasible." from the brougham. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my giving me time to thank him. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the orange pips. What do you deduce from it?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we three fields round his house, and there he would take his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his already referred to. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. ashen face. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be.' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold distinguish the words: safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "May I see it?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Thank you. Pray proceed." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the running down." maid will bring up your coffee." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and own family. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between forebodings. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then unprofitable." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was shining brightly. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would infinite languor in his face. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and glanced through. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. train.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he train.' investigation." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "In San Francisco, a year ago." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Could he throw no light?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to have that photograph." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Yes, I have one waiting." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the Red-headed League." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "But his left-handedness." you for a few hours?" goes." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "But his lameness?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fire. You quite follow me?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the behind me. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her