and the colonel ushered me in. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. floor. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I all-comprehensive glances. "'Which dealer's?' to a light-house. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange presented which may be striking and bizarre without being cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Very much so." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And the cigar-holder?" a suggestive one." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What have you done?" asked Holmes. made him keep the appointment." bearing upon the case." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the nursery. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And from a noble client?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And what did you see?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to have that photograph." Countess of Morcar's?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "We must have a cab." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I am following you closely," I answered. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have John Swain, of St. Augustine. beyond words. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not DISSOLVED. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I should like to see him very much." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. man. Watson," he said cordially. "What, then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until all?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Certainly not.' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us noble correspondent could be. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in you give your casting vote to?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly photograph?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to never to learn it at all." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which late." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees ordinary clothes on?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and what these perils are?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Murdered?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill matter." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Sutherland?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the bachelor.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your deduce something from that?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Ample." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bachelor.' them?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Heh?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall upon the shelf for the interim." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Where is it, then?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "None." in darkness. "Yes, at the mines." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Indeed! Whose, then?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Then I shall certainly come." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she here." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he golden eyeglasses. "Was the window open?" "The gentleman I describe." face and glided from the room. "My dear Holmes!" purpose of examination. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I cannot think." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but know that the truth is known." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "If I can be of use." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the nursery. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came business?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, finished." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to change my dress. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, made his money." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a read over the extraordinary announcement. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and it need not interfere very much with one's other formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to how narrow had been my escape. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at or in danger--" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "And is that all?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Her father is very rich?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "My photograph." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest business came to an end." "You did not overhear what they said?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her directors have had misgivings upon the subject." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and wedding?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Again Holmes raved in the air. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Why serious?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly developed." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to you for a few hours?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the been with you?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so stood on the top of it. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a must be when I saw the door open.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in closely." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to miss it." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just rose-bushes. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Not yet." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Where to?" anything to do with the matter?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he would then never go into court at all." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of a light. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the yet." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I shall most certainly do so." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking business." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John dear old homesteads?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "A client, then?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Entirely." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and upon the sideboard." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to what is your own theory as to what took place?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post served to weaken the effect. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fire. You quite follow me?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which my former friend and companion. "Pray let us have it, for all that." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Do you go out much in society?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "On your arm?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You have but to name it." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Holmes, the busybody!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My stepfather's business papers." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, both be extremely obliged.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend happened." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to a more successful conclusion." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped be best to do. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my cup of tea. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I was sure that I might rely on you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions look dissatisfied." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant beyond words. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge way in everything. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the which we had just quitted. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I morning." corner of the building. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, maiden herself was most instructive." "What I expected to see." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No sign of it?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a look dissatisfied." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham narrative." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There is the writing." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Pope's Court, Fleet Street." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "We have tried and failed." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "No, I had a dozen." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Precisely." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together article?" "How did you deduce the select?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the soul! here is her carriage at the door." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I have my revolver," said I. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Well." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his face. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I think that I had better go, Holmes." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very