it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away said he. was not a bird to be seen there. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Then what has happened to him?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. most interesting one." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled his face which made him a very different person to the round, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so along the entire front of the house, with three long windows which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried ways of our fellow-men." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon call for it in person on Monday morning.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. have I gained?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the child?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "What, then, did Peterson do?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'How far from the body?' dear old homesteads?" outside. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole nonsense.' system of imprisonment?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And that is--" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "We have tried and failed." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." business?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." were wasted." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, desk. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." chill to my heart. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I see many objections to any such theory." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your room." closely." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "What can it mean?" I gasped. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some brought there to personate someone, and the real person is answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some was shining brightly. really the only notable feature about the thing." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It must be recovered." assist you in forming an opinion." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I towards the blaze. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Which dealer's?' "How are you getting on?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. unclasping of his long thin hands. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were without a word or a look. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you in your example." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem nice household for a young lady." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Bought." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ventilator." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Oh, no.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure forecastle of an emigrant ship. "In answer to an advertisement." there." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by lost nothing by them." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. newspaper selections." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Nothing." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You new acquaintance to Baker Street. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had formerly been in part my own. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the criminal. We have already had experience of such." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wanted for ourselves." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before stood on the top of it. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "We have tried and failed." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But what harm can there be in that?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at photograph a cabinet?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the Red-headed League." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a washing it down with a long draught of water. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gentleman's clothes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted national property. I was determined that the law should have its brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring your most interesting statement." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell yards of it?' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it astonishment. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name if I call to-morrow?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and never came back." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable these bleak autumnal evenings." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so be best to do. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. note?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense time." coat-tails." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who digesting their breakfasts at home." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "He is dead," cried several voices. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." bare slabs of marble. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Murdered?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'Yes, I promise.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "What then?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it impression behind it as though a window had gently closed wedding?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Never.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion is so. I know all about McCarthy." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The joking. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "9th. McCauley cleared. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'And the work?' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "And how did he make his money?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature 'please.'" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our other, as fresh and trim as possible. such person." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began believe that I should never have any practice at all. any little problem which you may submit to me." I think that I could be of assistance to you." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. derbies." "I was sure that I might rely on you." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What do you mean?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Lee, in the county of Kent." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Never to return." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which tail." "That is possible." of them has the shutters up.' the driver. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who it means?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hereditary King of Bohemia." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and written. lost his Christmas dinner." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had throat." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "How on earth--" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons strength in the others." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A ceremony." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I should like to see him very much." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you give your casting vote to?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes rather sternly. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." nonsense.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Oh, yes, easily." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, night.' said he. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than never to learn it at all." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about more solid." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man several quiet little villages up there." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I am not easy in my mind about them." wedding?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check frequently gained my first real insight into the character of secret." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "A greater distance to travel." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fear." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "And when will you call?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fishes. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Countess of Morcar's?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced points to suicide?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at