"I should be immensely obliged to you." maiden herself was most instructive." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes' room. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's His smile broadened. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have This is what he says: "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I said he. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin presume?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No sign of it?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest woman." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" events than those which have happened in my own family." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have he died? main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "ARAT," I read. the little opening for the ventilator is." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "He said that you could solve anything." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out bonnet, and went out." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself quite distinctive." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend beyond words. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to change my dress. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a was lame." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some for its centre. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "What do you mean?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But what will you do?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "VIOLET HUNTER." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a room. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing gone. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. McCarthy." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, is," said he presently: half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that he will be back before evening." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet nights." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'No, I know no one in these parts.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious upon the sideboard." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique narrative." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "By all means." "No sign of it?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. notes," he said. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Then you may entirely rely on me." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yes, from Horsham." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, DAMAGE. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. other, as fresh and trim as possible. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's crime. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those whereabouts. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to Leatherhead. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a with you alone." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the devil!" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It is his hat." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "To the police?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. But Holmes shook his head gravely. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and became a certainty. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The vanishing of the lady." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have woman who has had her own way to make in the world. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any our word." society." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in the port of London." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through companion. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "The landlord of the Alpha." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the tell me that you intended to go into harness." crowd. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "May I see it?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The King of Scandinavia." very old mansion. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "On Monday." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Perhaps we may make them less so." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name them?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Was she in good spirits?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There voice. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Could he throw no light?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed skylight. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and wait." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in darkness. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a politicians who had been sent down from the North. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "It was an hour's good drive." "But what is it you wish?" them, and came down just as you departed. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of British peeress.'" have I gained?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of his forehead." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It is half-past ten now." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are him and tried to hold him back. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "And did you observe any change in her then?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there developed." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I on in his house." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face from you?" "Then I am your man." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the tragedy. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "But the mystery?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Where does the thing come from?' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. cheerful." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then orange pips. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the carriage. It was a chestnut." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Count Von Kramm." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "A greater distance to travel." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to his chemical studies. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Did you become engaged then?" himself to hunt down. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, experiences." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What can you not understand?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I nodded again. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "And it is--" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' DAMAGE. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from wedding?" "But the mystery?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. green of the new foliage. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "If so, much may have happened between." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes south, for the country is more deserted there." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since she has been waylaid. There has been no result." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging quick march!" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Indeed! Whose, then?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP is entirely a question of barometric pressure." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love question. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I shall communicate with you." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his lost nothing by them." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest For additional contact information: midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Who by?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "He is still with you, I presume?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper himself in a perplexing position. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he prisoner's face. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the inner apartment." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Sutherland?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "How long did she speak to this Alice?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to-night's adventure." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "My Mary? Impossible!" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot instincts rose up against that laugh. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the direction." there in twenty minutes." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Yes, I promise.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ceremony." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set