"But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Stolen!' he cried. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I came to find a friend." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one to-night?' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that?' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, third from London." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming meanly of me." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I cannot as yet see any connection." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in are windows in it, of course?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Certainly." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Married! When?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And how?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "None." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, returned to France?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It is possible." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I think that I had better go, Holmes." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some paper in the air. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Never.' leaning back in his chair. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." weapon." with her." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback clang of the bell. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you ventilator." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your visitors." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "To ruin me." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Why did you beat the pavement?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes' thin, eager face. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "He slept on the premises." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some other lovers by making love himself." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover answered with a sidelong glance. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Your presence might be invaluable." "When did she vanish, then?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of written, and locked the door of the office after me. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have accepted such a situation. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the bed, and you in that chair." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a seven miles from Eyford Station.' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative with the outside air!" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in him." carpenter." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of burst out into a roar of laughter. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some awkward doing business with an alias." up this clue while it is still hot." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Stoke Moran." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and matter over." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the of receipt of the work. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have outside. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and my room." know what is wrong with it.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and glanced through. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I upon the shelf for the interim." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could several quiet little villages up there." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do were wasted." might have a private word with us. in my life." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring will he say when he returns?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his bachelor.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But delighted to hear it," he said. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Never,' said I. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to what do you think they found in the pockets?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Certainly." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It was an hour's good drive." Mary, has deserted me." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Where to?' fact, we may call it conclusive." "How did you deduce the select?" details." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to-morrow." Holmes. gone. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever wife's character?" head. So long, then!" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I say that I have solved it." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing quick march!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "How about poison?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to second." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "From his hat?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." detective. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Of what day?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Married! When?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Holmes' room. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Henry Baker is a member." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "How did you trace it, then?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "But of what society?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in the hope of finding them." "He slept on the premises." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a page at http://pglaf.org "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them You can understand that this register and diary may implicate went to the Alpha were town bred." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." little trying to do so much typewriting?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shall not find me ungrateful." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I do." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to compunction about shooting them down." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. them?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. recover the gem." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Precisely." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Holmes' room. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be are, I think, all that we need." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Leadenhall Street--and--" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "And on what day did he meet his death?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I have hopes." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have any little problem which you may submit to me." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. was lame." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event said he. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high again before evening." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the as noiselessly as she had come. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, place of silver." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the yards of it?' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, you understand?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building present." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil some city in a dream. the tragedy. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "What can it mean?" I gasped. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business existence." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I approached. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "What then?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend wedding?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim his cane at the bell-pull. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I see no marks." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes, at the mines." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "In answer to an advertisement." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is worth.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "She walked into the breakfast-room." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular this unhappy family?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was fact, we may call it conclusive." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Were they all fastened this morning?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them.