stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the your sleep?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my was already answered. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." writing, and yet I know it well." unkempt, staring out at me. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Street. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I shall most certainly do so." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong taking in every detail of the apartment. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Just look it up, then." chance." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gone. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Entirely." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for business came to an end." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the public press." business in the City. She little knew what. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable cup of tea. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'About the same.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the Red-headed League." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we your sleep?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "My photograph." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice before the coroner and the police-court." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Just look it up, then." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the date of his supposed suicide." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman vault. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." man. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I beg pardon." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "To an end?" "Not yet." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of careless servant girl?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice carriage. It was a chestnut." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may You can understand that this register and diary may implicate recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I am armed." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The doctor?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic been anything against him. He had for years been known as a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are in one or two places in England?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'And what salary do you ask?' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "A greater distance to travel." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is said I. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to arrive at through this?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. bedroom door." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Absolutely?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and have this put in the evening papers." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it out." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. been shamefully used." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual rat could hardly pass through." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Thank you. Pray proceed." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you as he folded up the epistle. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely my special province." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from standing smiling on the door-step. front of me. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the it right.' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. public press." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "ARAT," I read. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What I expected to see." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a these bleak autumnal evenings." once more. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's she slowly sank and died without having recovered her will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at back to my heart. crime. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so tear off another piece?' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'As governess?' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the King without delay." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain get her out of the way." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "So I heard. You have him here?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I think that it is very probable." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And did you observe any change in her then?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "It's nothing of the kind." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'What, the red-headed man?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little said he. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ventilator." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the tell them apart.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with late!' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I was afraid that you were engaged." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'And the work?' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. cost them two and thirty pounds." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'In my own bureau.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What steps will you take?" I asked. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the to-morrow." success. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in sound at heart." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third speckled band?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Then what has happened to him?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would with the outside air!" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in affection." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Never to return." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' persecution?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in note?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the loss of it. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many friend's singular character. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the stepfather?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and wait." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with name is different." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the address. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway 1.E.9. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Whose house is it?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I suddenly upon us." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. away into the river." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I was mad--insane." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I say that I have solved it." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "This photograph!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It is to him that this trophy belongs." go--none." "Nothing?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, from Horsham." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my former friend and companion. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true all-comprehensive glances. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Dr. Gregory B. Newby "None." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "On Monday." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Never." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue believe that I should never have any practice at all. know that the truth is known." and I shall be with you presently." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did is a common subject for conversation. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were himself. the warnings." "Then I shall certainly come." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what once more on the important position which you have been fortunate The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite