we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fat-encircled eyes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Just look it up, then." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who other, as fresh and trim as possible. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" mystery!" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured shaken than I had ever seen him. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A matter over." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lost nothing by them." once more to my work. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Street. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I cannot imagine." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk out." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Upon what point?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "None." nothing with him." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "No sign of it?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Then, as to money?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared some mystery and the punishment of some crime." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every furiously. "But I am all in the dark." said he. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works be sorry for having acted so harshly." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere your bag." strong reason behind." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and forebodings. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And Irene Adler?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" yourselves in at night?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the she might be summoned. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It is very clear." "'I have heard so.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "But I have heard all that you have heard." daring than any effort of the imagination." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Pray be precise as to details," said he. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then the page we have seen--" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped be sorry for having acted so harshly." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away it? Did I buy the geese off you?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be them present such singular features as the strange train of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your with her." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "One of the highest in England." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a floor. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send key of the affair now." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to thought that she would have been so carried away." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There is the writing." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" remarked. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. all?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the might help us?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, believe that I should never have any practice at all. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." public press." power." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would on re-entering her father's house?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than guilty one." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." yourselves in at night?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'In my own bureau.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." was shining brightly. I approached. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then take the flies, but not before." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Is purely nominal.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have an American origin." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to tell." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from nonsense.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of them has the shutters up.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom eavesdroppers?' The events in question occurred in the early days of my for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you in your example." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a room. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Won't it ring?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Not him." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting yards of it?' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and inquire as to the address." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes, he did." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when clang of the bell. companion quietly. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Dirty?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at a side door. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your awkward doing business with an alias." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a here." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me dramatic, in fact." formed some opinion?" "No, finished." but preventing her from injuring another. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. on in his house." if she died from some sudden fright." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "What will you do, then?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Dark enough and sinister enough." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my future lives." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of them has the shutters up.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of despaired of." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "What steps will you take?" I asked. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." not within a twentieth part of the market price." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been perplexity from it to my illustrious client. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in hair?' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in enough to aid us in our search." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Game for a morning drive?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing true." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master together. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the families. Now for the facts. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is there." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming happened." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, really the only notable feature about the thing." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips then?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fled together." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and help us in this matter." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "That is not always so easy." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you security.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That is not always so easy." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the room?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in the dead of the night?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "But what harm can there be in that?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Sutherland?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had intimate personal affairs in this public manner." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the devil!" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'You doubt its value?' he asked. second." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little his face. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which believe that I should never have any practice at all. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in. affection." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder it. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it narrative." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the giving me time to thank him. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. could go. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily out of this horrible affair." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It