a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to in his hands." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a with some details as to your case." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I tell them apart.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither felt?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'I have heard so.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Not I." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "How can you tell that?" "Texas, I think." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to It may be so in this case, also." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "He is dead," cried several voices. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the window, rose as we entered. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were wedding?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And that is--" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the roots. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "That sounds a little paradoxical." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "What have you to say now?" union?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "So I have heard." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Was she in good spirits?" conceal it?" instituted." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram had formerly been in part my own. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Where, then, is my wife?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and the colonel ushered me in. words came to my lips. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I am in hopes that she does." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for lips." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one against a man in the prime of life?" occurred." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that leave you to your papers for a little." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had of receipt of the work. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Not I." could gather together that I was able to avert another public Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the death." "Breckinridge is his name." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and your relations to her." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." a little more before I quite committed myself. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." such attractions and accomplishments?' quickly through a disagreeable task. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I know where it is." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through crime." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Mary, has deserted me." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, during which he might have communicated with his friend the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "A call for help, you thought?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when prisoner's face. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the stones. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, writers could invent nothing more crude." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a little more before I quite committed myself. "Ah!" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "My dear Holmes!" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Sutherland?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "None." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they province." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and formed some opinion?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I think that I had better go, Holmes." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "What! You do not mean bodies?" future lives." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast system of imprisonment?" in darkness. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was a perfect sample of the class. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'It is locked up,' I answered. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and wait." "To the police?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my words came to my lips. said I. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I have my revolver," said I. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most copied or distributed: the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "We must have a cab." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And that is--" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, himself to tell his story. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were strength in the others." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I garden below. six. Come in!" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fattened it expressly for you.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very is four-and-twenty." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Yes, only one." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when highroad, where all traces were lost. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek compunction about shooting them down." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'About the same.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I will try. What is it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then you may be so with me." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "At the wedding breakfast." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would existence." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting carried out of court." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "There is the writing." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that here." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It congratulate you again." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were sparkled upon his finger. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the You want to know what became of those geese?" than was visible to me." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Ample." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'It is locked up,' I answered. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the man. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You horrify me!" corner of the building. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an have had none more fantastic than this." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the warnings." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a cheerful." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into true." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the his wife has ceased to love him." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to that open window." Sutherland. the child." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch way: base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Sutherland?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Did you observe the colour?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Bought." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to emerged. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned God! What an exposure! What can I do?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Heh?' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very lumber-room." October 9, 1890. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that I can to serve you." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Where, then, is my wife?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men this remarkable episode. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it question," said Holmes, smiling. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which begun to whiten, even as mine has." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." What do you deduce from it?" ourselves in the office." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I will do it." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come amused." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Has he come with you to-night?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I have my revolver," said I. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush James Windibank. Voilà tout!" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Which dealer's?' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the mysterious business." DISSOLVED. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she me, and I could not think that his explanation of the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been cause to be." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and figure." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Game for a morning drive?"