middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "The landlord of the Alpha." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." was a perfect sample of the class. despaired of." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was keenly on my guard against him. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I am not easy in my mind about them." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have established a very serious case against the son of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and shall probably return to London by the evening train." how narrow had been my escape. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the behind me. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me look upon these things in a different way." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." read it out to me." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "What?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Always." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, more terrible than the truth. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, went to the Alpha were town bred." opportunities to fix the problem. asked with his eyes open. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to change my dress. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the prisoner's face. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of conduct the inquiry." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and brain must have something in it." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Nothing." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "What, then?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in darkness. "But he might be a bachelor." forebodings. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do you came in." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. page at http://pglaf.org through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner forecastle of an emigrant ship. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, noble correspondent could be. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our name is different." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Countess of Morcar's?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin astonishment. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose opened the door, and slipped through. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And why in hopes?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, morning." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See grasp, he hurried from the room. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of security.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "And you don't know his address?" "It is solved." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove definite end. pierced for earrings?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" room. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, sofa. This way, please!" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that before taking the final step I should like to submit the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did are windows in it, of course?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Well, but China?" open." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love floor. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, distinctly professional." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so envelope. existence." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "A confidential servant?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The particular state visit http://pglaf.org face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "That is unusual in a young girl." something of him before." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Come in!" said he. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little during which he might have communicated with his friend the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of posted to-day." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always get the tickets." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He anything to do with the matter?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Which dealer's?' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I have a cab outside." miles off. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The telegram which we eventually received came late one night age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Where, then?" "Yes." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of a light. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce bedroom door." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the made him keep the appointment." reach." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "So I have heard." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried It was close upon four before the door opened, and a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his on re-entering her father's house?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. row." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I am following you closely," I answered. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I would pay ten." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped more terrible than the truth. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'As governess?' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "My opinion is in no way altered." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you give your casting vote to?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." me. You must get home instantly and act." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the roots. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Eyford at 11:15.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "But you were on a friendly footing?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Mary, has deserted me." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an upon the sideboard." "A call for help, you thought?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to affect your life." head. So long, then!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between face and glided from the room. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Married! When?" your billet.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in my life." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I papers." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Why serious?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is very kind of you." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as room had already been engaged for us. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of it." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William interested in these little problems, and since you are good house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs that I am arrested." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was lame." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" behind me. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and your relations to her." "What do you mean?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Holmes." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," several quiet little villages up there." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be for the market.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the just called myself is not exactly my own." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "My dear Holmes!" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'Certainly,' I answered. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Won't it ring?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "To the police?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" me have 200 pounds?' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches to have been novel and of interest." "Yes." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Tired-looking or fresh?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for whatever might befall. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Why serious?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Awake, Watson?" he asked. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You saw the ventilator, too?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the south-west, I see." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which charge against him will break down." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, that is the Crown." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the astonishment. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Pope's Court. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from weapon." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Absolutely?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and effective." "We were both in the photograph." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." this unhappy family?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again imbecility!" he cried. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "You don't mind breaking the law?" them, and came down just as you departed. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his his wife has ceased to love him." address. colour had been driven from his face. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Was she in good spirits?"