however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector something of him before." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some trying to your nerves." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for skylight. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so key of the affair now." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had strong reason behind." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able heavy and sharp instrument." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in least a most suspicious remark." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but only touch the interest." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the figure." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. individual and becomes the badge of a society." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to not fit the lock." "Not in the least." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the roots. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest your equipment. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural to take care of herself." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "None." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events for and were ordered to this address. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have not had my rubber." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you status with the IRS. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a nothing of it?" "BALLARAT." once more to my work. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Then, as to money?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that lamp in his hand. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "That sounds a little paradoxical." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I will, Miss Turner." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. bell. Holmes whistled. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "But you can know nothing of this?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Never to return." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and taking in every detail of the apartment. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the vanished into the darkness. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That if I call to-morrow?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the again before evening." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can singular points about the case. What did the police think of the confronted him. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Ten will be early enough." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who whereabouts. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not power." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, throat." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. ready to-morrow?' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "What then?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Nearly eleven." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open maid will bring up your coffee." beyond words. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at once more. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair will he say when he returns?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Married! When?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But we can't all be." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up call it cruel." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Count Von Kramm." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." chance." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet despair." face and glided from the room. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set third from London." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in It may be so in this case, also." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Bought." "'It is locked up,' I answered. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to results." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell October 9, 1890. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Dr. Gregory B. Newby that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making six. Come in!" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss just ask you whether you had heard it.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with next day. and no precautions can guard against." are, and they are waiting for us." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "He slept on the premises." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near occupations.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon as yours." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have my special province." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not companion imperturbably. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "This photograph!" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And how in the world did you find them?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to surprise her." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Bought." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his knees, staring into the fire. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate might help us?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and looked back. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "What will you do, then?" "But how will you look?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Look there!" said he. must compliment you." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the constraint." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP relief. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Bought." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of your young ladies.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free an introduction to him?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit locked." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The Cedars?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible business in the City. She little knew what. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my this as likely?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. was it brought him the coronet? "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "The best possible." The King stared at him in amazement. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual all?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very grasp, he hurried from the room. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I shall be delighted." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his off." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You forget that I know nothing about it." photograph a cabinet?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do footfalls from the street. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I will, Miss Turner." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which our visitor detailed to us. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the his huge brown hands. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "An accident, I presume?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was feeling which was the fattest.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at a side door. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "That you are never beaten." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "When did she vanish, then?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot back into the street. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you you in your example." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the vanished into the darkness. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow to miss it." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the child." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'You cannot say what it was?' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked God! What an exposure! What can I do?" do.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated death." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual retorted upon me, and I on you." compunction about shooting them down." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Not particularly." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected.