crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I was concerned in it." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the when your master had gone out." "The murder was done with it." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work ourselves in the office." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Absolutely none." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shaken than I had ever seen him. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I soul! here is her carriage at the door." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. hard-headed British jury." of the one which your family is now devouring." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated spark where all is dark to me." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Then, how do you know?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, extraordinary contortions. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, there is a decided draught." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Witness: I must still refuse. "But not more so than I to find you." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat leave you to your papers for a little." at home. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No, I am descending." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she showing my impatience. second window is the one that I jumped from." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." to a light-house. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "So I have heard." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Witness: I must still refuse. stammered. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I shall communicate with you." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in come either from the window or the door. My attention was learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, prisoner's face. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have despaired of." "And I." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, young Openshaw's." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you tension within him. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The doctor?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again extraordinary contortions. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, at home. "I have hopes." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which nice household for a young lady." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven must compliment you." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wife's character?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And what did you learn from him?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Awake, Watson?" he asked. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may new acquaintance to Baker Street. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You unclasping of his long thin hands. correct than the official force." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the presented more singular features than that which was associated believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a is now desirous of getting those letters back." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I on in his house." "I was sure that I might rely on you." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he becomes even more simple." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we wedding?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, hand, madam?" all?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very said he. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you give your casting vote to?" "Come in!" said he. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable handed it to him. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Have you her photograph?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all waste of energy." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I promise," said Holmes. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our such attractions and accomplishments?' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Quite sure, dad.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "She showed me, as I told you she would." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, occupations.' "You have the photograph?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the not as remarkable as your advertisement." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing presented more singular features than that which was associated I was concerned in it." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The Coroner: What do you mean? have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It was." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the details." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." DAMAGE. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the loss of it. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in begun to whiten, even as mine has." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with was keenly on my guard against him. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and the colonel ushered me in. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "By no means." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed over with notes and figures. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "It is very clear." obstinate." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them light and attacked it." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Look there!" said he. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that never came back." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, hopeless attempt at recovering them." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of your young ladies.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive chill to my heart. events than those which have happened in my own family." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" was keenly on my guard against him. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his forehead." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my 11:15.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman simple cases which are so extremely difficult." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes' thin, eager face. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel photograph?" was a perfect sample of the class. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to ordinary clothes on?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the invisible to me," I remarked. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could said Mr. Holder. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You'll never persuade me to believe that." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to miss it." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Certainly,' I answered. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "My photograph." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. guilty one." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this Miss Turner." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Then, how do you know?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been cup of tea. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and the whole place is in a blaze." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What have you to say now?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a to-night." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him and tried to hold him back. murdered man." "Always." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband noble correspondent could be. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" take the flies, but not before." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." in the dead of the night?' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily conduct the inquiry." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other time." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, all." "He is dead," cried several voices. Project Gutenberg-tm works. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the so-precious time, but come!' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, me have 200 pounds?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might was a loud and authoritative tap. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Only as much as we can deduce." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it pressing in one house as in another. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all,