dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a here." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by directly by questioning you." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people father's place of business?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to affect your life." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, fresh and glossy." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hurried by. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I leave." tied." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that possible that we could bring him back to her? of the one which your family is now devouring." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I never will be, entirely cleared up. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of the way of danger. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the which it had come upon my father." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though third from London." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It is a murder, then?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped had died away into the silence from which it rose. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at eat it." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in one or two places in England?' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to touch that coronet?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But what will you do?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to is," said he presently: Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in one or two places in England?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found criminal. We have already had experience of such." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "What will you say?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had stalked out of the room. emerged. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the date of his supposed suicide." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, strong reason behind." to arrive at through this?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady astonishment. "I shall most certainly do so." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a morning." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there matters immensely." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed mystery." is," said he presently: against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Where did he live, then?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And I to find an enemy." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." and that he would see to anything that turned up. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my congratulate you again." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'I am sure if I had known--' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. about. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. your troubles." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "What can it mean?" I gasped. criminal. We have already had experience of such." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. quickly through a disagreeable task. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes, but only for you and me." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your nothing with him." October 9, 1890. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon the white wrist. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I am sure." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have writer." few hundred pounds.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the less than 26s. 4d. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. his face which made him a very different person to the round, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of The summons was a brief and urgent one. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And how did you verify them?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to affect your life." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Certainly." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Was he the only applicant?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face nonsense.' quick march!" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'Which dealer's?' "'I have already given you my word.' discontent upon his features. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Proceed, then." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See laugh and put his lips to my ear. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. do." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she gentleman's clothes. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But what harm can there be in that?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And did you observe any change in her then?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of case-book, which he consulted. father's young wife. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless bled considerably." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house annoyance, but no jest. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I never have." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined recover the gem." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hands. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And I to find an enemy." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior troubles have been weighing upon his mind. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought me, and I could not think that his explanation of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened hands. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Precisely so. But how--" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most followed. you give your casting vote to?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And how did you verify them?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" 'please.'" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Most admirably.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence congenial hunt. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." one's self under obligations.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob long narrative. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that you saw all that I did." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Stoke Moran." seven miles from Eyford Station.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place closing the door. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "You have compromised yourself seriously." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. friends, not even his own brother. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "No sign of it?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "What!" he roared. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You have the photograph?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It came here." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "In heaven's name, what for?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'What, the red-headed man?' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and inquire as to the address." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. skylight. brain must have something in it." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "My dear Holmes!" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "No. What a strange idea!" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that affection." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a bonnet, and went out." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in this note: Does that suggest anything?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to himself. "But he might be a bachelor." "I have hopes." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wedding?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The carpenter." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, yes, easily." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I spark where all is dark to me." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, may have an influence upon European history." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. yards of it?' memory. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you in your example." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" been." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and about here speaks of his kindness to him." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. up this clue while it is still hot." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood hard-headed British jury." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. criminal. We have already had experience of such." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming do." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a business in the City. She little knew what. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with maid will bring up your coffee." Pope's Court. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' begun to whiten, even as mine has." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Where did he live, then?"