which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in done what I asked you, Jones?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in seven miles from Eyford Station.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "How did that help you?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." forebodings. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, ready to-morrow?' "Nothing?" "My opinion is in no way altered." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But she will refuse." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The vanishing of the lady." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was very morning of my second wedding." upon the white wrist. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing humiliation." careless servant girl?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with crime." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is constraint." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Oh, no.' front of me. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "He slept on the premises." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening populous neighbourhood." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Yes." "Yes." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked tail." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and http://gutenberg.net/license). way: "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to or other trace. But how on earth--" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded some terrible trap for her." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his October 9, 1890. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Nearly eleven." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a hopeless attempt at recovering them." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the take the flies, but not before." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one tear off another piece?' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and the church but not where the lady lived." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I shall communicate with you." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of you came in." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "In answer to an advertisement." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR for and were ordered to this address. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" you." this poor creature." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she assist you in forming an opinion." "Really! You surprise me." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to speckled band?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Was she in good spirits?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of them has the shutters up.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I know where it is." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "But who is he?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" must compliment you." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and all of them with the keenest interest. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "No." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may did not hear it also.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the on in his house." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'In my own bureau.' to a more successful conclusion." anything to do with the matter?" green of the new foliage. occupations.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place showing my impatience. "What is it, then--a fire?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Who was the criminal, then?" formed some opinion?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the south-west, I see." your equipment. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have him." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Pray tell us what has happened to you." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it crowd. "I was mad--insane." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Nearly eleven." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and a shock of very red hair. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at arrested. You then--" ventilator." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes, certainly." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch drove away. "Why, what do you mean?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and towards the blaze. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" in my life." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and all of them with the keenest interest. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties did not hear it also.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so http://www.gutenberg.net "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive children over to America with him, so that I found myself without iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are where Mr. Fordham shows you.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as the one I chose?' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "But we can't all be." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before go back?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She my room." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Where is it, then?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "On Monday." you in your example." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Proceed, then." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I have come for advice." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate States. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I look dissatisfied." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "My stepfather's business papers." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "What?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all allusion to a rat. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I assure you that I am in your hands." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he wedding?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow keep the flames under. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and prosperity to your house. Good-night." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You think that he is dead?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the his face. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that little trying to do so much typewriting?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the matter?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very allusion to a rat. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, matter." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "From his hat?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the King without delay." suspect him." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "But what is it you wish?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "When did she vanish, then?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during vault. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that I am arrested." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Not him." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush was a lad." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I have solved it." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." depend upon your compliance." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of for its centre. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of you." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Do you receive much company?" he asked. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It shall not find me ungrateful." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do him, that man would not have given me such complete information from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and shoulder. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for during that time.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a night.' said he. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite beyond words. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes, sir." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Cross for the Continent." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable there in twenty minutes." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so father's place of business?" forbidden door. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Certainly." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that threaten you." over with notes and figures. questioning and rather startled gaze. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk bedroom door." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, everything which you would wish to know." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, thought that she would have been so carried away." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that disappearance of these gems?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'And the work?' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character,