"Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father galvanised. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Only as much as we can deduce." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. upon the sideboard." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Holmes' room. you do it in twenty minutes!' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "We have tried and failed." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a weapon." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the bottom.' "Upon what point?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "She walked into the breakfast-room." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You have a clue?" most interesting one." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'You cannot say what it was?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Always." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to-night?" I asked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I have my revolver," said I. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Was there a secret marriage?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, forehead. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more believe that I should never have any practice at all. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "How about poison?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very clang of the bell. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a eat it." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Heh?' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Mrs. Toller serenely. fear." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in before the coroner and the police-court." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "My Mary? Impossible!" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Ten will be early enough." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes, at the mines." "Precisely so. But how--" "That you are never beaten." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in him." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Where is it, then?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. London for the present?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco always that they were such commands as a lady might with nights." lost nothing by them." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his read it out to me." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "And it is--" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or infinite languor in his face. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Certainly." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is no ordinary one." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still all-comprehensive glances. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I cannot imagine." key turn in the lock." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you?' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a young Openshaw's." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I never have." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I presented more singular features than that which was associated chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. brain must have something in it." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "None." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It is a murder, then?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What will you do, then?" already been minutely examined." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "What, then, did Peterson do?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "He said that you could solve anything." "Yes." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the maiden herself was most instructive." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's think that he is innocent?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of round with crates and massive boxes. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It is a murder, then?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It was." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Sutherland?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the his grey eyes. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. to affect your life." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I leave." shoulder. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Certainly." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, unclasping of his long thin hands. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Thank you. And your address?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Then he might have called to you?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But the mystery?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the golden eyeglasses. returning from some small jollification and was making his way It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I obstinate." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But she could not love him." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Pray do so." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have one." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just British peeress.'" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." detective. felt?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in your London, you will know that the office of the company is you." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as them, and came down just as you departed. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "What?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rat could hardly pass through." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of a light. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "The rest you will leave in our hands." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I said he at last. answer." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and I shall be with you presently." them?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then the page we have seen--" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "By no means." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the Red-headed League." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Of Friday, June 19th." "An enemy?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has everything which you would wish to know." Cross for the Continent." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by ordinary clothes on?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in could gather together that I was able to avert another public the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage heavily into it. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old if I call to-morrow?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" article?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique License. You must require such a user to return or once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements chance." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." in the dead of the night?' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Certainly." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a introspective fashion. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, interest. They are important, you understand, without being been able to understand it, in a very few words. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. despair." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Yes, from Horsham." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I James Windibank. Voilà tout!" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had shoulder. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. round and wave him away like that.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." them?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: arrangements." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Watson," he said cordially. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' McCarthy." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. address. amused." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, corner of the building. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that strode off upon his way. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be money should be paid at once.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his will not take me long to tell. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I think that I could be of assistance to you." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you into her hand at the door and which lured her within their answered with a sidelong glance. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sneer upon his pale face. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him maiden herself was most instructive." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view so.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and have this put in the evening papers." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and skylight. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'I am sure that I do not know.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him way in." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Not in a good cause." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the third from London." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "None." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "And why?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "When did she vanish, then?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark investigation." power."