the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I will do it." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It was." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Ample." corner of the building. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I came to find a friend." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "His face fell immediately. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "May I see it?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the notes," he said. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get instincts rose up against that laugh. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that for and were ordered to this address. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any chambers. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from are windows in it, of course?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "No, distinctly professional." "Then you may entirely rely on me." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, which we had just quitted. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than tail." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and where she found matters as described by the last witness. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." chemical work which was so dear to him. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I am about to be married." appeared upon the scene." "What will you say?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the is so. I know all about McCarthy." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Only as much as we can deduce." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather asked with his eyes open. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does never will be, entirely cleared up. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have October 9, 1890. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is disappearance of the bride.'" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert strode off upon his way. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk were unconscious?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Stolen, then." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "The landlord of the Alpha." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "You horrify me!" upon an income of about 60 pounds." spare." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and written, and locked the door of the office after me. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at October 9, 1890. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter not fit the lock." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Why did you beat the pavement?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "He is dead," cried several voices. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would already been minutely examined." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It is very kind of you." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was handed it to him. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I will try. What is it?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ceremony." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Eyford at 11:15.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an silent! Oh, he will be silent!' towards the blaze. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, it. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm train from Paddington which would bring you there at about can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." interests were the same as his." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "When did it break out?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "The doctor?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most both be extremely obliged.' investigation." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known away into the river." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass discontent upon his features. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to take care of herself." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the my secret was safe in his possession. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "What do you mean?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yes, I have one waiting." charged with?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the woman." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Witness: I must still refuse. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about any." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left presume?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front money should be paid at once.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Your presence might be invaluable." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and no precautions can guard against." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I cannot as yet see any connection." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It was an hour's good drive." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who photograph a cabinet?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have an American origin." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to some other building. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock is four-and-twenty." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But we can't all be." recover the gem." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as easy-going way." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a very old mansion. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was any more." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of way: Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to if I call to-morrow?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the front of me. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has present." even so self-evident a thing as that." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I go back?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed recall any case within my experience which looked at the first words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man address. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What are they?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern not come at once?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Have you good authority for what you say?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a main points of my analysis." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his knees, staring into the fire. gone before you can get him to hospital." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of a light. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts nothing of it?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "By no means." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Nothing?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Thank you. And your address?" to Leatherhead. main points of my analysis." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. horse could go." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no together. held up the lantern and gazed about him. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rose-bushes. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." goes." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You did not overhear what they said?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much weary and pale-looking. power." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "He slept on the premises." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To would apply.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." learned something! Where are the gems?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the room while you explain this matter?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to affect your life." delighted to hear it," he said. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement keep the flames under. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Ah!" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seven miles from Eyford Station.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." are, and they are waiting for us." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence leave you to your papers for a little." "I am following you closely," I answered. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "No, but the enclosure is." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those towards the blaze. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Leadenhall Street--and--" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But the mystery?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Not social, then?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from the brougham. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing room. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of his shoulders. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And what did you learn from him?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Eyford at 11:15.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she tell him that I know him to be innocent." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'I have already given you my word.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to-morrow." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "In the cells." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must bare slabs of marble. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all