which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary standing smiling on the door-step. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You horrify me." union?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You will not go there first?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I was mad--insane." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was purpose of examination. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire here." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you wall." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "BALLARAT." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You have but to name it." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Texas, I think." "Pray do so." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from in his hands." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes digesting their breakfasts at home." tail." there is a decided draught." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No. His orders were to stay in the house." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who when you have done it." Heh?' seven miles from Eyford Station.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss prepare for the new role I have to play." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking there were so many in the whole country as were brought together wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "He disappeared so suddenly." official police." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I have it here in my museum." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a character. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill a few minutes he said that it would be all right. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of province." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had formed some opinion?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "It is very clear." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to take care of herself." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But how did you gain them?" suddenly upon us." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, works. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they brain must have something in it." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "If so, much may have happened between." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It is solved." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and door?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and felt?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He said that you could solve anything." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I were unconscious?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "To ruin me." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Did you observe the colour?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then I am your man." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The doctor?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank man. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Yes, I promise.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like carpenter." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "May I see it?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from garden below. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You are hungry," I remarked. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and the church but not where the lady lived." "My own seal." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'What do you call purely nominal?' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Eyford." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and have this put in the evening papers." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I will, Miss Turner." "What! Had he lost his wife?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit voice. "Only as much as we can deduce." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our even so self-evident a thing as that." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we remarked. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to change my dress. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. on in his house." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which child?' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Surrey." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, tell him that I know him to be innocent." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Pray continue your narrative." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "In which, sir?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a knowledge of the world." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden this as likely?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon upon the white wrist. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the furiously. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the asked. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for them?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a an introduction to him?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, it were putty." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, matters immensely." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature one which it was hard to resist. "It is very clear." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing *** START: FULL LICENSE *** would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning official police." "I should be immensely obliged to you." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there new duties?' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons better grown goose." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped plantation.' "Did your wife hear all this?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in made him keep the appointment." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I 1.E.9. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, strength of mind to control. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Have you her photograph?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been my former friend and companion. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes, only one." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Precisely." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough absorbing." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you peculiar to him. father's place of business?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Munro.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Quite so. She has her freedom." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some know what is wrong with it.' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they such attractions and accomplishments?' so far?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, showing my impatience. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than a little more before I quite committed myself. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better been." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Eh? What was that?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' nonsense.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And it is--" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Were they all fastened this morning?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Again Holmes raved in the air. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest leaning back in his chair. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and room. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and no precautions can guard against." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "You don't mind breaking the law?" my secret was safe in his possession. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will letters?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all photograph?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Was there a secret marriage?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel never will be, entirely cleared up. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." main points of my analysis." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for your billet.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "How did he come?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I do." "What! Had he lost his wife?" and no precautions can guard against." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And what did you learn from him?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Pray do so." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always woven round him. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope,