beg that you will break it off." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon papers diligently of late, have you not?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her important." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. cup of tea. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his then?" "Yes, from Horsham." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to his chemical studies. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for main points of my analysis." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "And why in hopes?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian round with crates and massive boxes. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "When did it break out?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose 'I should be able to look after that for you.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You think that he is dead?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. remarked. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be name is different." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "How did you trace it, then?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "How did he come?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the Assizes." desk. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Was she in good spirits?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But how?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Very much so." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but heavily into it. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours she used." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, him and tried to hold him back. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You have it, sir, just as it happened." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that before taking the final step I should like to submit the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You have carte blanche." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. to-night's adventure." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It is possible." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. rooms." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Won't it ring?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may troubles have been weighing upon his mind. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child you for a few hours?" Miss Holder?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting been with you?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Always." tied." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give rose-bushes. the inquest, and which are worth considering." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "That is not always so easy." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the general public were present, then?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Not yet." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Quite sure, dad.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the morning and make my own way in the world.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was acquaintance?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Do you know him?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the in the hope of finding them." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pound a week." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her a very grave face. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'How far from the body?' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each States. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your never will be, entirely cleared up. redistribution. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Get out!" said he. infinite languor in his face. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Ample." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, are, I think, all that we need." cheerful." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that he has suffered." "But of what society?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but into the bag, and made for the door. introspective fashion. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad spare." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "That is not always so easy." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Certainly,' I answered. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered look dissatisfied." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I will, Miss Turner." have one." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates bearing upon the case." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." never came back." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I am still in the dark." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, sparkled upon his finger. province." confronted him. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off breakfast and whispered something to her husband. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, lost nothing by them." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. just called myself is not exactly my own." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "What are they?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wall." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in this note: reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, way: "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But the mystery?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles bell. Holmes whistled. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'I am sure if I had known--' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Is purely nominal.' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing overpowering excitement and concern. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I seven miles from Eyford Station.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought congratulate you again." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I morning." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The rest you will leave in our hands." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back at my own good fortune. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "What of the rat, then?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Very. But will he see it?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." for and were ordered to this address. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all this as likely?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be washing it down with a long draught of water. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I think that I could be of assistance to you." to arrive at through this?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of was feeling which was the fattest.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace could not have written that. It is the German who is so "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the purpose equally well?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I will not look." rose-bushes. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then nothing with him." know that the truth is known." became a certainty. "She will not sell." indeed happy." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and kindly on the shoulder. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "About a month then." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What!" he roared. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was quickly through a disagreeable task. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." putting in the horse. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, gives a meaning to it." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the been with you?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between always that they were such commands as a lady might with "That you are never beaten." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Holmes rather sternly. over here." Cross for the Continent." "And how did you verify them?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes. He waved his hands." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we