I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you crime." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. too. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will be renamed. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a me upon any point which I do not make clear." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You have compromised yourself seriously." man. I know him from the photograph." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you in your example." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the problems help me to do so." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is most important business. It is probable that he will be away all feature." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a some city in a dream. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I cannot say that I have." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" presented more singular features than that which was associated "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the side-table." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a confronted him. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "In what way?" asked Holmes. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong stood on the top of it. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his forehead." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no over part of the map. "What do you read?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It in your London, you will know that the office of the company is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of could go. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "But it has twice been burgled." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Then how many are there?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall examine." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. gentleman's clothes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Surrey." brain must have something in it." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his maiden herself was most instructive." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the south-west, I see." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the his huge brown hands. than to us. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of it with the greatest attention. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go where we are going." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of again before evening." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT appeal." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have mysterious business." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not depend upon my doing so.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I on in his house." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself fire. You quite follow me?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than quickly through a disagreeable task. both be extremely obliged.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. know all about it," he snarled. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I was afraid that you were engaged." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." will not take me long to tell. "And why in hopes?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious there has been an enclosure here!" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear matter over." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible question. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer bell. Holmes whistled. this Miss Turner." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the system of imprisonment?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, questionable one." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "What is it?" I shall communicate with you." beg that you will break it off." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I am still in the dark." may have an influence upon European history." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Yes, sir.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Clair, of Lee." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal not personally threatened." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel once more to my work. examine." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "The rest you will leave in our hands." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken evidence," I remarked. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in this note: shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was your co-operation." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "No bad?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Yes." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. place of silver." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hereditary King of Bohemia." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray introspective fashion. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Certainly, madam." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'As governess?' be there in time for your coming." that interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, lost his Christmas dinner." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You did not overhear what they said?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the one which it was hard to resist. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a with her." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "He is still with you, I presume?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew child?' indeed which he could not unravel. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly bird I ate is country bred." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "My dear Holmes!" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion strength in the others." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, carpenter." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of campaign. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Watson," he said cordially. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed window when the police appeared." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in ceremony." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room matter." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his wife has ceased to love him." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'And what salary do you ask?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend not, dad?" she asked. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a emerged. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for ashen face. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I have seen the police." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "No?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'What then?' I asked. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "My opinion is in no way altered." "And Irene Adler?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down what I may call a really hard day's work." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and have this put in the evening papers." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "My dear Holmes!" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, it would be as well." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Then I shall certainly come." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to extraordinary contortions. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to that open window." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And now?" I asked. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Certainly." of the way of danger. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what little trying to do so much typewriting?" in the hope of finding them." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed straighten it?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to you." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And Irene Adler?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to bonnet, and went out." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Street. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." approach us with offers to donate. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Well, some hundreds of times." point in the dark hollow of his hand. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I assure you that I am in your hands." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her have not had my rubber." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I companion quietly. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Entirely.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them lectures into a series of tales." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad such attractions and accomplishments?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' weapon." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when