to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow people don't know." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I never have." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose conclusions. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, only one." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the it were putty." "And why?" in the port of London." Farm upon the left." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." handed it to him. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning visitors." confronted him. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, prepare for the new role I have to play." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" o'clock is it?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by morning." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "You think that he is dead?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." delirious. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at my own good fortune. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The King stared at him in amazement. "But his left-handedness." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "How many? I don't know." one which it was hard to resist. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Farm upon the left." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He up this clue while it is still hot." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lumber-room." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora come either from the window or the door. My attention was get her out of the way." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, may have an influence upon European history." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But I have heard all that you have heard." fishes. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated over here." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Farm upon the left." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and the whole place is in a blaze." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You will not go there first?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from standing smiling on the door-step. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Certainly, madam." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that character. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as future lives." delighted to hear it," he said. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of be. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is no ordinary one." whole matter to your consideration." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his eat it." face and glided from the room. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I say it is." have one." said I. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of legal crime." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I see no marks." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning once more. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" my special province." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the until night should bring an explanation. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And it is--" may have an influence upon European history." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. his forehead." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror be there in time for your coming." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Holmes rather sternly. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in tapping his fingers upon the table. that threaten you." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, out." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing in. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." there in twenty minutes." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of amused." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Come in!" said he. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "How can you tell that?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "But his lameness?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my name is different." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "No, my brougham is waiting." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It is his hat." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' on re-entering her father's house?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Quite so. She has her freedom." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and mysterious business." detective. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "By train from Waterloo." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Yes, only one." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes rather sternly. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, take the flies, but not before." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at like that before?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I would give my fortune to have them back." of it with the greatest attention. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "A confidential servant?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties until night should bring an explanation. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Quite sure, dad.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, rat could hardly pass through." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you give your casting vote to?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, I have one waiting." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else too. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before giving me time to thank him. telegram would bring me down to your help." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I nodded again. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Certainly." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his nonsense.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It is solved." the station." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You know me, then?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I himself to tell his story. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole constraint." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, never will be, entirely cleared up. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look place no limit on the sum I may draw." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." made him keep the appointment." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that minor matters until to-morrow." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the later, upon the night of May 2nd." the date of his supposed suicide." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up kindly on the shoulder. "So I am. Very much so." taking in every detail of the apartment. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But his lameness?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. events than those which have happened in my own family." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a second." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You have compromised yourself seriously." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of will be renamed. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "My own seal." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very at my own good fortune. before, for it was considerably after midnight. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Breckinridge is his name." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Oh, no.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is ways including including checks, online payments and credit card look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And why in hopes?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. enter into my head. "Yes." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Mrs. Toller serenely. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all foresight and the moral retrogression?" paper in the air. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too,