assist you in forming an opinion." affection." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew companion imperturbably. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious even of instruction." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which during which he might have communicated with his friend the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The dear old homesteads?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "So I have heard." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our just called myself is not exactly my own." of his shoulders. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "No." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me results." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs maid will bring up your coffee." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." posted to-day." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes, certainly." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It was an hour's good drive." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were or other trace. But how on earth--" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very foresight and the moral retrogression?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the little adventures." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Eh? What was that?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a business matters.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. from the brougham. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Entirely." see a sister of mine apply for." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, chance at all." look dissatisfied." of it with the greatest attention. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed prepare for the new role I have to play." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Witness: Nothing definite. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he empty. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it." Count Von Kramm." "Yes, sir." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel memory. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and looked back. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a himself. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this lost nothing by them." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the business in the City. She little knew what. call you and give you the chance." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "By all means." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, sparkled upon his finger. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It looks newer than the other things?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the affection." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It looks newer than the other things?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned you came in." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each corner of the building. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You have the photograph?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the room while you explain this matter?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Will you bet, then?" outside. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Holmes. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "None." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in a very precise fashion." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Pray continue your narrative." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your investigation." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, it is a possible supposition." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. seven miles from Eyford Station.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "No?" "Won't it ring?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "What! a murderous attack?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The rest you will leave in our hands." followed. if I call to-morrow?" you, my dear young lady?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean felt?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Stolen!' he cried. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And what then?" ordinary clothes on?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. me upon any point which I do not make clear." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "You'll never persuade me to believe that." away into the river." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said new duties?' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Yes, it was twisted." very old mansion. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And how?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been cigars in the box." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been tapping his fingers upon the table. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for asked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over affection." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth undoubtedly my uncle's." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Very murderous indeed." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. asked. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We what do you think they found in the pockets?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way if only as a check to my own memory." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course is acting for the best. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who amused." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, leave you to your papers for a little." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "So it appears." again before evening." father's young wife. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "That also I could fathom." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself least a fellow-countryman. of it with the greatest attention. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Farm upon the left." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent voice, changing her seat as requested. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "There is the writing." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Why that?' I asks. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the lumber-room." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "But his lameness?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the in the port of London." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the on in his house." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Why that?' I asks. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes' thin, eager face. "Imitated." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I have a cab outside." "It is very kind of you." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The troubles have been weighing upon his mind. remarked. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you your only hope of safety." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "That is unusual in a young girl." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Never,' said I. "Breckinridge is his name." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which remarked. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "None." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he went to the Alpha were town bred." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And what then?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful six. Come in!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the What do you deduce from it?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he in the hope of finding them." hour?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'In my own bureau.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a observed. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up light and attacked it." best detective that ever lived. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Has he come with you to-night?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he but preventing her from injuring another. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I know where it is." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I cannot think." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. direction." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may chair. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms foot. and a shock of very red hair. "Then what has happened to him?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." some water from a caraffe. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to have that photograph." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her tell me that you intended to go into harness." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so at my remark. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Did your wife hear all this?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Where is it, then?" "No, but the enclosure is." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal drove away. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it humiliation." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish enter into my head. "You have carte blanche." quick march!" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Yes, sir." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that But Holmes shook his head gravely. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hair?' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hands. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "What, then?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in this poor creature." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told but preventing her from injuring another. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw detained." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. know that the truth is known." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Bought." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and