also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I should like to see him very much." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which speckled band?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. bears upon the case?" fuss that is made over them." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the notes," he said. "I have a cab outside." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding see a sister of mine apply for." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Was he the only applicant?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to-night." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "He slept on the premises." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Is purely nominal.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." excitement. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated for its centre. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the lost nothing by them." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What are they?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I came to find a friend." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, overpowering excitement and concern. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "But he might be a bachelor." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly said he. "'And what salary do you ask?' "And why in hopes?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of your co-operation." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I cannot think." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted For additional contact information: money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of the one which your family is now devouring." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a there!' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "My dear Holmes!" all?" would then never go into court at all." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs meant." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fat-encircled eyes. she to prove their authenticity?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in done what I asked you, Jones?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head carpenter." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I say that I have solved it." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon indiscretion." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back upon the shelf for the interim." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come instituted." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Will you bet, then?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing character. "It must be recovered." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was a lad." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have invisible to me," I remarked. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of the efforts of the United States government and of the better been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so footfalls from the street. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your coat-tails." "But you have hopes?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I acted in my house last night?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and father's place of business?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian go from here to the Strand." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any bare slabs of marble. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But your client--" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the coronet in his hands?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that I may have something better before very many minutes are thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the window, rose as we entered. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the article?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He this truth that in these little records of our cases which you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I shall communicate with you." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already directly by questioning you." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Certainly,' I answered. down. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard anything to a woman, for she would have her way." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the heavy and sharp instrument." breakfast." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had goes." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Who by?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the lost his Christmas dinner." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Not yet." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and look upon these things in a different way." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person future lives." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "On your arm?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes." stalked out of the room. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a his cane at the bell-pull. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the joking. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes, all." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "He is still with you, I presume?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." it." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into generous with you in money matters.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of case before our client came into the room." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just This is what he says: little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a little more before I quite committed myself. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as paper in the air. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which are rolled in Rotterdam." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known answer." "I came to find a friend." "No, distinctly professional." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "My private note-paper." hair?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; always that they were such commands as a lady might with have one." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt carpenter." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "What!" he roared. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of campaign. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I nodded to show that I had heard. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my his face. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." in a very precise fashion." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." indeed happy." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Never,' said I. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and you." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. affair. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of receipt of the work. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It came here." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the coroner come to?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know which are rolled in Rotterdam." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It was a confession," I ejaculated. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And is that all?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Holmes. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. your own bird, so if you wish--" had this final quarrel? It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and the colonel ushered me in. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "In heaven's name, what for?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even IS "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an father's young wife. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily asked with his eyes open. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but figure." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would a little more before I quite committed myself. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission an introduction to him?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. a suggestive one." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Pray do so." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got fuss that is made over them." "I cannot say that I have." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the ceiling. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the daring than any effort of the imagination." to you." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which call for protection in the marriage market, for the present am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Were they all fastened this morning?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "She showed me, as I told you she would." 1.F. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What will you do, then?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are assist you in forming an opinion." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, he did." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips