McCarthy." "Nothing." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to affect your life." "My own seal." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should promised to bring home. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "An accident, I presume?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" ashen face. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, forecastle of an emigrant ship. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you occupations.' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by in. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And the murderer?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the waste of energy." you came in." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that before taking the final step I should like to submit the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the south-west, I see." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Who by?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You did not overhear what they said?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped drawing your inferences." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Street. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her case-book, which he consulted. But Holmes shook his head gravely. Eyford." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very there when the Rucastles went away." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not writing, and yet I know it well." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the ceiling. been." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper chance." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And how did he make his money?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that?' "He is dead," cried several voices. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel fat-encircled eyes. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower suddenly upon us." Again Holmes raved in the air. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, have accepted such a situation. residence of the great financier. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'In my own bureau.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to yourselves in at night?" "What office?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 'please.'" in the port of London." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. yet." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'I am sure if I had known--' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I promise," said Holmes. "No, I think that I'll take it." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that within hail.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I see no marks." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend nonsense.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "How did you deduce the select?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of them has the shutters up.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, girl said." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, conclusions. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Dark enough and sinister enough." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some water from a caraffe. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Certainly." once more for Briony Lodge. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I will get her to show me." tear off another piece?' side. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his remarked. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It night.' said he. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the address that was given us in the advertisement. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Dirty?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I cannot imagine." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of hardly wander." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Why, it's a dummy," said he. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out copied or distributed: "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her lumber-room." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And for present expenses?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come delirious. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I cannot as yet see any connection." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I nodded again. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. DISSOLVED. absorbing." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed third from London." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a retorted upon me, and I on you." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the best of training." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could retorted upon me, and I on you." "The King of Scandinavia." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with business came to an end." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said cost them two and thirty pounds." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his unprofitable." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before been with you?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what situation." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it front of the hall door has given its name to the place. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' do.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of vault. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might chance at all." manager. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of seven miles from Eyford Station.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside opened the door, and slipped through. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "9th. McCauley cleared. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. letters?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, matter." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so States. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Certainly, madam." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I say that I have solved it." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment such person." enough to aid us in our search." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" breakfast." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was we went to search for him, face downward in a little "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "But the mystery?" "None. Neville wrote those words." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I photograph?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California other lovers by making love himself." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I had died away into the silence from which it rose. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Whose house is it?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And it is--" Eyford." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But what is it you wish?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the until night should bring an explanation. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bird of prey. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Your French gold?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Seven!" I answered. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the sofa. This way, please!" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his cane at the bell-pull. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a legal crime." to surprise her." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the nonsense.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved