problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was keenly on my guard against him. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about cigars in the box." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at she to prove their authenticity?" "Then the page we have seen--" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive is worth.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in this way: across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the iron safe, which he closed upon it. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You will not go there first?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a pressing in one house as in another. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are this remarkable episode. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Where does the thing come from?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who morning." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Not I." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been everything which you would wish to know." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box opened the door, and slipped through. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Ten will be early enough." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, writers could invent nothing more crude." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had this unhappy family?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless suddenly upon us." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the stones. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of this Miss Turner." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ashen face. that I can to serve you." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come do.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Entirely.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." conclusions. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step companion. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you understand?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have had none more fantastic than this." appointment with me for six o'clock?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be not interfere, come what may. You understand?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter as he folded up the epistle. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Do you know him?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish infinite languor in his face. did not hear it also.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, observed. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I see many objections to any such theory." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case outbreak?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. carriage. It was a chestnut." "I am sure." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for looking up at the numbers of the houses." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we better in every way that they should make their position a little "Dirty?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'About the same.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a in. as noiselessly as she had come. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before mystery!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Precisely so. But how--" "'Yes, it was gone.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I do." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded said he at last. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real presume?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You are hungry," I remarked. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "May I see it?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I have a cab outside." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no his wife has ceased to love him." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'Where to?' "Which are?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I held the little printed slip to the light. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle was once confined in the cab my mission was practically offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" But Holmes shook his head gravely. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my future lives." open." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included nonsense.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the night.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a come either from the window or the door. My attention was was lame." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the driver. a very grave face. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. been able to understand it, in a very few words. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I not within a twentieth part of the market price." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Have you her photograph?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bare slabs of marble. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Holmes' thin, eager face. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But how?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future shoulder; "he's all right." highly," said Holmes. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. up this clue while it is still hot." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. unkempt, staring out at me. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they case-book, which he consulted. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made or in danger--" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Foundation successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his cane at the bell-pull. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Stolen." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage never came back." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Holmes." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the night.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in had a long day." as noiselessly as she had come. "Not in a good cause." "I am still in the dark." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his knees, staring into the fire. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'And what salary do you ask?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in help us in this matter." had formerly been in part my own. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I was afraid that you were engaged." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have residence of the great financier. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You did not overhear what they said?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, or other trace. But how on earth--" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! waste of energy." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is people in all walks of life. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what distance from the station, and there we found the young lady You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" she used." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a ran thus: "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And that is--" "Deserted you?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the have had none more fantastic than this." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Again Holmes raved in the air. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of lumber-room." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in highly," said Holmes. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shall use the carriage to-night." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from success. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Where, then, is my wife?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have been better. It is all right." "I will try. What is it?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is it were putty." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. strength in the others." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained bed dies. Does not that strike you?" intrusion of other matters." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I cannot say that I have." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Does that suggest anything?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You are hungry," I remarked. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old