in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent heavily into it. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I have a cab outside." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after your Highness to the police-station?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "You will not go there first?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt attention." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need been with you?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the roots. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to very morning of my second wedding." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him taking in every detail of the apartment. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or asked with his eyes open. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you head. So long, then!" "Not I." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself rat could hardly pass through." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "At the wedding breakfast." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when salesman. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband was feeling which was the fattest.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and back alive. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the Assizes." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several signal between you and your father? and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in the port of London." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'Certainly,' I answered. you." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Won't it ring?" of them has the shutters up.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused had this final quarrel? dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. definite end. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "No legal papers or certificates?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "But I have heard all that you have heard." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hurried away. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was used.' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, conduct the inquiry." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and a shock of very red hair. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle death." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning pierced for earrings?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that that I may have something better before very many minutes are appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this for the market.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of the vacancies.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few constraint." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the there." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Where, then, is my wife?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found with you alone." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of main points of my analysis." if only as a check to my own memory." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, late." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "An accident, I presume?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it were putty." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and opportunities to fix the problem. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Was your sister dressed?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Why that?' I asks. it. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "But you have hopes?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Ha! you find it so?" it. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But how will you look?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I am armed." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All observed. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and all of them with the keenest interest. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, amused." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in approach us with offers to donate. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Pool. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that threaten you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of the vacancies.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Doctor, of the paper and the date." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to all that?" "But who is he?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Just look it up, then." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one must be when I saw the door open.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "He said too much." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the your billet.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard allusion to a rat. "My private note-paper." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of lost his Christmas dinner." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, from you?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hands. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "And why in hopes?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Have you it here?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And I to find an enemy." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to a light-house. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I just ask you whether you had heard it.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' horse could go." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "There is the writing." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'I have already given you my word.' "And I to find an enemy." until night should bring an explanation. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the Red-headed League." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few get the tickets." bell. Holmes whistled. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the beyond words. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the coronet in his hand?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'In my own bureau.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported The events in question occurred in the early days of my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'What then?' I asked. "He said too much." "But what is it you wish?" maiden herself was most instructive." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford most interesting one." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "No, finished." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes, only one." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the matter?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." gbnewby@pglaf.org It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I suddenly upon us." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the something of him before." to surprise her." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of them has the shutters up.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Get out!" said he. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same strode off upon his way. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with you alone." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate felt the room to be a little close.' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Certainly,' I answered. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." eavesdroppers?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Entirely." suddenly upon us." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would right! Sit down and let us talk it over." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." direction." "Yes." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Entirely.' "What shall I do?" the coronet in his hand?" that there was nothing in it, after all." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And sit in the dark?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to have that photograph." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. off." "An enemy?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "One horse?" interjected Holmes. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' my special province." even so self-evident a thing as that." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'And the work?' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What is it?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can round with crates and massive boxes. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was feeling which was the fattest.' business came to an end." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "What then?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I took the paper from him and read as follows: freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm chemical work which was so dear to him. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' more solid." "You have the photograph?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both confronted him. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried room had already been engaged for us. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "How did you trace it, then?" meant." "My stepfather's business papers." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in my life." Leadenhall Street--and--" beg that you will break it off." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's your sleep?' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the felt?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past indiscretion." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Sutherland?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "What will you do, then?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ran thus: ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom this man was intellectual?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the devil!" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found