horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An voice, changing her seat as requested. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which night.' said he. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Why did you pick him?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit thin legs towards the fire. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It whole matter to your consideration." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Mary, has deserted me." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." hands. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been touch that coronet?' papers." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fled together." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you came in." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his shoulder. ventilator." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of pressing in one house as in another. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in villagers almost as much as their master. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser as noiselessly as she had come. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Then what has happened to him?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his grey eyes. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "My last client of the sort was a king." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and at once, for I have only half an hour." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your felt the room to be a little close.' already referred to. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, begun to whiten, even as mine has." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to held up the lantern and gazed about him. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from know all about it," he snarled. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that mystery may be cleared along those lines." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity you." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Very much so." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Most admirably.' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, tell him that I know him to be innocent." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Certainly." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is," said he presently: "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a monotonous occupation." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it were putty." "What shall I do?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my note?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an existence." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one returning from some small jollification and was making his way commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your were wasted." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you must compliment you." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "A confidential servant?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is this man was intellectual?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though morning." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Your French gold?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a where she found matters as described by the last witness. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Stoke Moran." could gather together that I was able to avert another public At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I promise," said Holmes. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to details." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of sooner or later she must fall a victim. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Nothing." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, conduct the inquiry." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' at my own good fortune. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have habit of advancing money.' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I guessed as much." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Leadenhall Street--and--" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass mystery!" the best of training." "I say it is." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes, sir." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had electronic works fasten all the windows?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was locked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider villagers almost as much as their master. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Mrs. Toller serenely. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or wife's character?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded long narrative. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at crime." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as he folded up the epistle. "Never." "Did you observe the colour?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his but preventing her from injuring another. and the church but not where the lady lived." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Breckinridge is his name." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband directly by questioning you." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of drawing your inferences." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have The King stared at him in amazement. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that papers must be those that are destroyed.' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of would then never go into court at all." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must upon a handsome competence. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "When did it break out?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that I can to serve you." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "My Mary? Impossible!" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he he died? already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "We have tried and failed." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." footfalls from the street. "But not more so than I to find you." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was all-comprehensive glances. yourselves in at night?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "And your father? Did you tell him?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his that you wished to speak to me?' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds himself to tell his story. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into it. "I cannot tell." this poor creature." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fat-encircled eyes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Then he might have called to you?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They father's place of business?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Did you become engaged then?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" with the outside air!" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wedding?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the one else, I think." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "But how could you guess what the motive was?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and the colonel ushered me in. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I meanly of me." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Absolutely none." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the morning." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, my brougham is waiting." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other, as fresh and trim as possible. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about note?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never been." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had heavy and sharp instrument." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The