to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are highly," said Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Well." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And how in the world did you find them?" British peeress.'" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "From his hat?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yes, it would be as well." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But you were on a friendly footing?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform brandy and water within his reach. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "By all means." "Why serious?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." me where it went to?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Was the window open?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "One of his hands." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but tell them apart.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding chance at all." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant security.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and business." papers must be those that are destroyed.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend matter over." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who your sleep?' "On your arm?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of himself to hunt down. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You forget that I know nothing about it." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Countess of Morcar's?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly joking. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What then?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It came here." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double said he. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But his left-handedness." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several carried out of court." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' whatever might befall. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "But she could not love him." "'Ample.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the address that was given us in the advertisement. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "His face fell immediately. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He is still with you, I presume?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Never." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What is it?" discontent upon his features. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is bare slabs of marble. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an mystery." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My stepfather's business papers." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise business." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the him to go away.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have had none more fantastic than this." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Indeed! Whose, then?" Where does the thing come from?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the ceiling. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Certainly." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off soul! here is her carriage at the door." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. that you can jump it.' respectable self." matter." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Perhaps we may make them less so." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'As governess?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new very peculiar words of the dying woman?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Eyford at 11:15.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, will take you up to see the machine.' developed." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hand, madam?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ourselves in the office." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as sound at heart." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the system of imprisonment?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." For additional contact information: compunction about shooting them down." "Game for a morning drive?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with a room. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I am all attention, madam." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and easy-going way." been able to understand it, in a very few words. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the strength in the others." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to bears upon the case?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the inquest, and which are worth considering." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot During two years I have had three consultations and one small we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What do you mean?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "ARAT," I read. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, address. have one." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "On your arm?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father gone before you can get him to hospital." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the coroner come to?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Yes, only one." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "How can you tell that?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Mrs. Toller serenely. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully must be when I saw the door open.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that you wished to speak to me?' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save outside." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De memory. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Always." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My photograph." "'And what salary do you ask?' had died away into the silence from which it rose. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could speckled band?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I cannot think." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' But Holmes shook his head gravely. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You think that he is dead?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong politicians who had been sent down from the North. "My own seal." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "So I heard. You have him here?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two happened." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "No, my brougham is waiting." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it means?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no McCarthy's innocence. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "What! a murderous attack?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "That was it, sir." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of Fenchurch Street." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over would then never go into court at all." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the seven miles from Eyford Station.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Doctor, of the paper and the date." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in breakfast." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Here?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly morning." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, compunction about shooting them down." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the showing my impatience. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Where to?" who was a member of your goose club." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are you." meant it for the best. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the which it had come upon my father." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Was there a secret marriage?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But you can know nothing of this?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I your billet.' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And how did you verify them?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over outside." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, astonishment. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the best of training." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "And I." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Nothing?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during hardly wander." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching that?' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this