greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "So it appears." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but spark where all is dark to me." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Frequently." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Not yet." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "That's no good." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and your co-operation." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Mrs. Toller serenely. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is writer." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay started for the Temple to see my husband. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE me." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where minor matters until to-morrow." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What have you done?" asked Holmes. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes, but only for you and me." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of golden eyeglasses. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive allusion to a rat. Mrs. Toller serenely. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. bonnet, and went out." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As lamp in his hand. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. visitors." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, province." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the date of his supposed suicide." "Very much so." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to some other building. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "From his hat?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the did not hear it also.' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the made him keep the appointment." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What is it, then--a fire?" annoyance, but no jest. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then I am your man." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I should like to see him very much." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And now?" I asked. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And that is--" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. it." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition asked. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But I am all in the dark." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have McCarthy." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know sufficient punishment." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "No." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in formed some opinion?" "Get out!" said he. there in twenty minutes." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I cannot imagine." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "But you can know nothing of this?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the side-table." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Breckinridge is his name." cigars in their mouths. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I when your master had gone out." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his congenial hunt. him nearly every evening." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. despair." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, but only for you and me." there has been an enclosure here!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I came to find a friend." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the up this clue while it is still hot." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged outbreak?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to chance at all." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had quickly through a disagreeable task. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "If so, much may have happened between." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your over here." to that open window." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. mystery!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client heavy and sharp instrument." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, fresh and glossy." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "The doctor?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want must compliment you." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wedding?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his tail." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in this note: rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically your bag." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have letters?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Why that?' I asks. into the room. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Breckinridge is his name." "I see no marks." not come at once?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. floor. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I beg pardon." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of approach us with offers to donate. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Yes." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I will try. What is it?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, occupations.' "I think it very unlikely." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, the cause is excellent!" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I guessed as much." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." think you a quite exceptional woman." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should particular state visit http://pglaf.org its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" compunction about shooting them down." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon own family. retorted upon me, and I on you." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through me what he had done with the three missing stones. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be husband's writing, madam." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sparkled upon his finger. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'In my own bureau.' "Just look it up, then." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Bought." congratulate you again." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "When did it break out?" Holmes' room. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector less than 26s. 4d. "Of what?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Nearly eleven." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the window, rose as we entered. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? tail." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have DISSOLVED. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Yes.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I think it very unlikely." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit people don't know." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Really! You surprise me." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seem to you to be relevant or not." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the south-west, I see." Eyford at 11:15.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Stolen." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the them?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, all." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account for the market.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And gives a meaning to it." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I have seen the police." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to Leatherhead. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "To the police?" "And what did you see?" detained." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in bare slabs of marble. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One would apply.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If bell. Holmes whistled. "Here?" Lee, in the county of Kent." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, always that they were such commands as a lady might with he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror definite end. fluttered off among the others. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'Yes, sir.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended in the hope of finding them." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel,