of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had foresight and the moral retrogression?" points to suicide?" "I would pay ten." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing entirely lost his self-respect." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me question," said Holmes, smiling. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, spark where all is dark to me." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I know where it is." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, floor. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "No." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. your only hope of safety." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see through." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP disappearance of the bride.'" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes rather sternly. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the crime." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The Coroner: What do you mean? helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then straightened it out again. fact, we may call it conclusive." she used." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have seen the police." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' DISSOLVED. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Then the page we have seen--" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I don't say that. Perhaps." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Miss Holder?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But it has twice been burgled." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian what do you think they found in the pockets?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post derbies." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or nothing with him." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his least a most suspicious remark." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes weighed down with some great anxiety. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lamp in his hand. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "What?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, sir." "Pray continue your narrative." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible suspect him." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person never came back." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a one's self under obligations.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "My own seal." http://www.gutenberg.net was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty vault. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I guessed as much." friends, not even his own brother. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to go into your room and bar your shutters?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. behind me. You want to know what became of those geese?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the outsides of the windows. written, and locked the door of the office after me. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "We have tried and failed." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an as noiselessly as she had come. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I fear not." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I was sure that I might rely on you." was a lad." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And you don't know his address?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their delirious. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand became a certainty. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I was sure that I might rely on you." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, me." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "No, distinctly professional." "Then I am your man." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I yet." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cigar and let me expound." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Why, what do you mean?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this as likely?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and it need not interfere very much with one's other the coroner come to?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation II. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "One of his hands." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their newspaper selections." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he brain must have something in it." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this disturbance in my wife." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So shoulder. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hour?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was not a bird to be seen there. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more few hundred pounds.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The remarked. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by your bag." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which security.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "That was it, sir." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "And why?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking maiden herself was most instructive." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), your equipment. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "A client, then?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," him to go away.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit own family. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Game for a morning drive?" following enigmatical notices: said Mr. Holder. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to conduct the inquiry." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "No. What a strange idea!" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And what then?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing peculiar to him. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to interest. They are important, you understand, without being here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the best of training." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Munro.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be be. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I came to find a friend." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go McCarthy's innocence. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again forecastle of an emigrant ship. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the wife's character?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "What will you do, then?" all-comprehensive glances. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' again." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I shall continue with my miserable story. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. delirious. "That sounds a little paradoxical." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom into her hand at the door and which lured her within their twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey again, where I was soon asleep. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always whether it answered to the description of any of their "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I have come for advice." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have been better. It is all right." nothing of it?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that could gather together that I was able to avert another public a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I took the paper from him and read as follows: yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at