"Yes." my little problems." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "That is possible." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "That was it, sir." was lame." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed following enigmatical notices: scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has child?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the chance at all." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No, finished." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, him and tried to hold him back. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with hand, madam?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be there in time for your coming." own family. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the furiously. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent your room." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "No." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. in the dead of the night?' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer narrative." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She companion imperturbably. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the stable lane now." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, meant." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I have hopes." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting second." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Yes." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Breckinridge is his name." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there village inn over there?" chance at all." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one skylight. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" friends, not even his own brother. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the child." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned stood on the top of it. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which it had come upon my father." to have been novel and of interest." asked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of it with the greatest attention. imbecility!" he cried. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I see many objections to any such theory." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. or other trace. But how on earth--" your billet.' highly," said Holmes. gone before you can get him to hospital." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few there!' there!' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." intrusion of other matters." "Here?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "VIOLET HUNTER." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "In heaven's name, what for?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, beyond words. over with notes and figures. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of his shoulders. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Clair, of Lee." "Precisely." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the morning and make my own way in the world.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination hands. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been like gravel from a pit.' used to be." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I cannot think." be sorry for having acted so harshly." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And you can do nothing until then?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the whether it answered to the description of any of their me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on taking in every detail of the apartment. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that with you alone." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes, certainly." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in them?" "Nothing." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler eat it." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly had this final quarrel? but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the King without delay." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Always." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his very morning of my second wedding." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for newspaper selections." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "By no means." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you?' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, occurred." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I cannot imagine." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything will he say when he returns?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught begun to whiten, even as mine has." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'What then?' I asked. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our details should find their way into the papers. Inspector business." telegram would bring me down to your help." lost nothing by them." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I don't say that. Perhaps." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we rooms." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a had a long day." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss was used.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a character. late." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is a murder, then?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of the one which your family is now devouring." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. copied or distributed: "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down it. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he directly by questioning you." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your official police." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Texas, I think." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it your Highness to the police-station?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are pressing in one house as in another. I leave." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was exactly what you advise." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco to talk it over. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, vault. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel as noiselessly as she had come. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be your bag." prepare for the new role I have to play." opened the door, and slipped through. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. go from here to the Strand." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in him, that man would not have given me such complete information days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or look upon these things in a different way." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your someone who had been in Australia." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a back into the street. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I should like to see him very much." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "She showed me, as I told you she would." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind wedding?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Come in!" said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. waste of energy." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She you found me to-night--and running through the front room she deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a writers could invent nothing more crude." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Yes, sir.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a passage and a tap at the door. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his deduce something from that?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, drove away. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I would pay ten." nothing with him." seen the man in the road." "It is possible." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'I have heard so.' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." writers could invent nothing more crude." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to tell." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Holmes rather sternly. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Perhaps I have." the nursery. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do flock.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I came to find a friend." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of Fenchurch Street." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Yes, I have one waiting." "Really! You surprise me." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people death." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the one as in the other." bill, which interests me deeply." details." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Will you go?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building cigars in their mouths. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I from you?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for said Mr. Holder. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, just ask you whether you had heard it.' for securing the situation." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. fuss that is made over them." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "So I have heard." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you leave you to your papers for a little." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the promised to bring home. "And sit in the dark?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the visitors." introspective fashion. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this heavily into it. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the