came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house be there in time for your coming." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was asked. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." a room. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily questionable one." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is possible." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I his cane at the bell-pull. minor matters until to-morrow." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I am still in the dark." "She told me to ask you." "Do you go out much in society?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "It is possible." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up families. Now for the facts. "But the mystery?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "ARAT," I read. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, This is what he says: his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed James Windibank. Voilà tout!" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have yards of it?' recover the gem." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I promised to bring home. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "So it appears." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than 'please.'" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable see a sister of mine apply for." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, conclusions. "But she will refuse." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Will you bet, then?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would who was a member of your goose club." client, rising. delirious. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Deserted you?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have will be renamed. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not me." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on there has been an enclosure here!" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, fait accompli?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social as noiselessly as she had come. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in his hands." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove call it cruel." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her putting in the horse. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your murdered man." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it people in all walks of life. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Always." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, congratulate you again." down. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was 'please.'" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can three fields round his house, and there he would take his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ha! you find it so?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my crime. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that as yours." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I murdered man." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I should wish to." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in at home. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been that you can jump it.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Well, some hundreds of times." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Nothing." what is your own theory as to what took place?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Pray continue your narrative." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I guessed as much." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I think that I could be of assistance to you." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not call the police, let the police find what they can.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at carriage. It was a chestnut." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It is true that I have been generally successful." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler key turn in the lock." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Where to?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yes." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for with some details as to your case." standing smiling on the door-step. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with problems help me to do so." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Where does the thing come from?' soul! here is her carriage at the door." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Pray continue your narrative." humiliation." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cigars in their mouths. second window is the one that I jumped from." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I should like to see him very much." little adventures." "'And what salary do you ask?' province." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as helping a boy to put up the shutters. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand she might be summoned. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott swore that no one else had been in the front room during the go--none." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "And you don't know his address?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; best detective that ever lived. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Street. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like house for five minutes.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept people don't know." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. drove away. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "My last client of the sort was a king." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "What, then, did Peterson do?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Always." had formerly been in part my own. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I name is different." not as remarkable as your advertisement." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Dr. Gregory B. Newby "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, what I may call a really hard day's work." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance may have an influence upon European history." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, nothing with him." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband happened." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I shall be delighted." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yes." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at eavesdroppers?' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the key of the affair now." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." answered with a sidelong glance. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "There is the writing." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the she might be summoned. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "But what will you do?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note occupations.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Well, it is a possible supposition." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the south-west, I see." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she open." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Then what has happened to him?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "At the wedding breakfast." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wedding?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture nice household for a young lady." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever few hundred pounds.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of papers diligently of late, have you not?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But what will you do?" arrested. You then--" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "What, then, did Peterson do?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached seven miles from Eyford Station.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. tell them apart.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But to whom?" "I see no marks." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So that I can to serve you." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell question you as to those details which seem to me to be most easy-going way." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and