make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a with frightened eyes at his accuser. stalked out of the room. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." there when the Rucastles went away." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I shall communicate with you." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth orange pips. "Yes, sir." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But how will you look?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Yes, sir.' "Entirely." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round for the market.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Why did you beat the pavement?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "That is possible." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of this gang." appeared upon the scene." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by fear." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to where he stood hid behind the curtain. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be bedroom door." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And how did you find out?" way in everything. "Why serious?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "One of the highest in England." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the inner apartment." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and all of them with the keenest interest. "So I have heard." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of prison!" "Nearly eleven." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Have you good authority for what you say?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been question," said Holmes, smiling. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "You have a clue?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which all-comprehensive glances. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his confronted him. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so never came back." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear power." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No help us in this matter." "I know where it is." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no quick march!" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which kind enough to tell me what I should do." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was of receipt of the work. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No opened a pocket-book and took out a note. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "ARAT," I read. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which examine." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from danger is over." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Pray continue your narrative." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the driver. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "What have you to say now?" to you." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "The Cedars?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was it brought him the coronet? cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "On Monday." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" carriage. It was a chestnut." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "How often?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. at once, for I have only half an hour." which was all perfectly true. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Pray continue your narrative." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to you." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It missed him, then?" absorbing." his face which made him a very different person to the round, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob o'clock is it?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the stable lane now." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, This is what he says: to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself girl said." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did national property. I was determined that the law should have its told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had quick march!" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air four million human beings all jostling each other within the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of it with the greatest attention. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "But she could not love him." been shamefully used." to that open window." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it golden eyeglasses. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Entirely.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at so far?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But how did you gain them?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I have my revolver," said I. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And help." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have established a very serious case against the son of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Here?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "But you can know nothing of this?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'In my own bureau.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "In heaven's name, what for?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is writer." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage brain must have something in it." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the south-west, I see." me. "Whose house is it?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat you?' you, my dear young lady?' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in darkness. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind then?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and the church but not where the lady lived." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Stolen." guilty parties." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United there in twenty minutes." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" case before our client came into the room." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that he has suffered." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the ceiling. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Could he throw no light?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And why in hopes?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, certainly do as you advise." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "The vanishing of the lady." learned something! Where are the gems?" think that any burglar could have done. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was it right.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "If so, much may have happened between." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its furiously. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. brandy and water within his reach. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "On your arm?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of garden below. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Does that suggest anything?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I see many objections to any such theory." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that he will be back before evening." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against a room. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to forecastle of an emigrant ship. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the cost them two and thirty pounds." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical generous with you in money matters.' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a me have 200 pounds?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed union?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to have been novel and of interest." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love whole matter to your consideration." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the always that they were such commands as a lady might with coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' into the room. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." waste of energy." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the families. Now for the facts. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Absolutely?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was it brought him the coronet? see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'As governess?' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself dead, shall be safe with us." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Leave Paddington by the 11:15." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of served to weaken the effect. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. some water from a caraffe. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his face. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch that you wished to speak to me?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." affection." "And you can do nothing until then?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "You know me, then?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his