"'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know The summons was a brief and urgent one. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" guilty parties." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. she might be summoned. "But how?" "Yes, he did." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked fear." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of father's young wife. "But how will you look?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "A greater distance to travel." "A confidential servant?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian daring than any effort of the imagination." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, sir." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "How did you deduce the select?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. foot. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault used to be." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tail." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Nothing." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. is a common subject for conversation. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which thirty. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the room while you explain this matter?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "And how in the world did you find them?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And I." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "He said that you could solve anything." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of him. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe had died away into the silence from which it rose. fled together." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, highroad, where all traces were lost. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss meanly of me." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has will be renamed. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich here and I will read it to you: for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to What do you deduce from it?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I know where it is." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Get out!" said he. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too again, where I was soon asleep. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the amused." "Yes." was not a bird to be seen there. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' License. You must require such a user to return or matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave up this clue while it is still hot." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with all that?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in least a fellow-countryman. in him." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was promised to bring home. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" on in his house." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. visitors." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Foundation "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing flock.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "None." "I see no marks." shoulder. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Thank you. Pray proceed." depend upon your compliance." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I closely." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. strength in the others." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that towards the blaze. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Tell me all about it,' said I. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to come either from the window or the door. My attention was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "To ruin me." could not have written that. It is the German who is so not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which our visitor detailed to us. dead, shall be safe with us." main points of my analysis." "What, then, did Peterson do?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "So I am. Very much so." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Witness: It was. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to might have a private word with us. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a maid will bring up your coffee." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to results." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' footfalls from the street. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which some terrible trap for her." skylight. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And I to find an enemy." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house bell. Holmes whistled. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that you saw all that I did." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a your Highness to the police-station?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco http://gutenberg.net/license). news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It came here." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of lamp. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window head. So long, then!" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Indeed! Whose, then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the she to prove their authenticity?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Edgeware Road. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my digesting their breakfasts at home." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my friend's incisive reasoning. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, tightly behind him. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "What office?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do paper in the air. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I already referred to. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until jewels which you have stolen?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Nothing." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for its centre. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You are certainly joking, Holmes." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with as noiselessly as she had come. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Chief Executive and Director deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even affection." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Your French gold?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm crime. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then, how do you know?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It's nothing of the kind." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, been able to understand it, in a very few words. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Married! When?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good asked. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. I nodded to show that I had heard. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and the colonel ushered me in. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook for and were ordered to this address. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the station." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself observed. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It came here." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Then he might have called to you?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to little trying to do so much typewriting?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and despaired of." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I cannot as yet see any connection." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It is a murder, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a it means?" "'Is purely nominal.' "Perhaps I have." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I brandy and water within his reach. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the bird I ate is country bred." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup companion imperturbably. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as emerged. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught said he, "my real name is James Ryder." entirely lost his self-respect." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "The rest you will leave in our hands." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange upon the shelf for the interim." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" lost nothing by them." know all about it," he snarled. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for quite distinctive." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." weary and pale-looking. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I mystery." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, congratulate you again." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Very. But will he see it?" business matters.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a present." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa