laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight him to go away.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Breckinridge is his name." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Yes, at the mines." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Have you it here?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What steps will you take?" I asked. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Then how many are there?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the asked. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass tied." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to quickly through a disagreeable task. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It is very clear." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so breakfast and whispered something to her husband. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a fatally injured? "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of the way of danger. "How are you getting on?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "On your arm?" in his hands." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his ways of our fellow-men." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What do you make of that, Watson?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hour?' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray do so." "Then I can wait in the next room." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the companion imperturbably. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Eyford at 11:15.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Yes, it was gone.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked been lifted and conveyed somewhere." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. fear." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "When did she vanish, then?" "Here?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I took the paper from him and read as follows: off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place back alive. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "He slept on the premises." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into several quiet little villages up there." this as likely?" "How did he come?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "That is it on the dressing-table." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and ways of our fellow-men." "What, then, did Peterson do?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "The rest you will leave in our hands." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Come in!" said Holmes. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public train.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Munro.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Breckinridge is his name." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "He disappeared so suddenly." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well burst into a hearty fit of laughter. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an with some details as to your case." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers yards of it?' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. been shamefully used." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the running down." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Edgeware Road. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I am armed." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have think, you have already met." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "What!" he roared. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my how narrow had been my escape. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who said Mr. Holder. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Your sister is dead, then?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a if I call to-morrow?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But what will you do?" "He said too much." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie for and were ordered to this address. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious look upon these things in a different way." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to his chemical studies. the general public were present, then?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Was there a secret marriage?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with begun to whiten, even as mine has." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I know where it is." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open like that before?" matters immensely." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Breckinridge is his name." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past fait accompli?" "My private note-paper." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of chair. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed cause to be." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in do.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very them?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the driver. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, gives a meaning to it." upon a handsome competence. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned way in." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and whereabouts. window when the police appeared." know what is wrong with it.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "None." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some straighten it?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should acted in my house last night?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, floor. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not at home. The events in question occurred in the early days of my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I will try. What is it?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the very morning of the wedding." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Why? What do you mean?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for jewels which you have stolen?' will he say when he returns?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is other lovers by making love himself." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present must compliment you." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There will not take me long to tell. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But we can't all be." "I cannot tell." be. "Where did he live, then?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What, then, did Peterson do?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in this note: was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the we went to search for him, face downward in a little papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "He might." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You are all wrong." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Get out!" said he. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they room?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." is," said he presently: "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and your relations to her." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not roused himself from his reverie. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' What do you deduce from it?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Did you observe the colour?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No, finished." even of instruction." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and your relations to her." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days never will be, entirely cleared up. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close works. See paragraph 1.E below. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any were unconscious?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "A call for help, you thought?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "It must be recovered." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I held the little printed slip to the light. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue.