developed." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "He is dead," cried several voices. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was guilty one." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to tackle the facts." results." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the is acting for the best. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary one of them." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, whereabouts. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You know me, then?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at home. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the late!' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In have established a very serious case against the son of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement walking." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here future lives." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, excitement. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "No." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and that he would see to anything that turned up. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fashion which was peculiar to him. of." "None." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us photograph a cabinet?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned galvanised. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while my room." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and man. I know him from the photograph." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely girl said." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "So I am. Very much so." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I shall most certainly do so." "It is his hat." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "What steps will you take?" I asked. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate voice, changing her seat as requested. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much him to go away.' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' records." have I gained?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and your relations to her." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done attention." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon must be when I saw the door open.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of mysterious business." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. from you?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Very murderous indeed." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise threw himself down with his face to the pillow. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner bore every mark of being an average commonplace British With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be said Mr. Holder. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to affect your life." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and McCarthy's innocence. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Not him." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this said I. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was voice, changing her seat as requested. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in he bowed and left the room without another word. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in companion imperturbably. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an some city in a dream. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab said Mr. Holder. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." were new raised from a basin. quick march!" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind approach us with offers to donate. "'Never,' said I. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than meant it for the best. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "To the police?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And is that all?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes, only one." "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being question. "And I say east," said my patient. ashen face. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'As governess?' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. grasp, he hurried from the room. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a like gravel from a pit.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found tightly behind him. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge good for you to do.' would apply.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three which I could not give. He asked for Alice. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they upon the sideboard." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his bird I ate is country bred." "In answer to an advertisement." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "So I have heard." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have got?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I one of them." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "By no means." him. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "About a month then." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It is his hat." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And how did you find out?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have I gained?" "Nearly eleven." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and writer." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "My dear Holmes!" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away really the only notable feature about the thing." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his this man was intellectual?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain colour had been driven from his face. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared joking. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. be best to do. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Bought." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush children over to America with him, so that I found myself without I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And who is her maid?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly less than 26s. 4d. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Nothing." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Why did you beat the pavement?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little any." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And I." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity directors have had misgivings upon the subject." never to learn it at all." may have an influence upon European history." "And how?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You horrify me." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the in the hope of finding them." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes, they were peculiar boots." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn carriage. It was a chestnut." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I promise," said Holmes. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And now?" He raised his hand. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard McCarthy's innocence. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in overpowering excitement and concern. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and retorted upon me, and I on you." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no minor matters until to-morrow." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Her father is very rich?" good for you to do.' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the straightened it out again. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in conduct the inquiry." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "May I see it?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, him and tried to hold him back. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so lectures into a series of tales." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, returned to France?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is better in every way that they should make their position a little "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a good hundred miles off by now." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found opened the door, and slipped through. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would was the fact that his father should, according to his account, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Not at all. I only doubt--' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been once more. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not."