ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when are, I think, all that we need." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have got?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. seem to you to be relevant or not." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, father's young wife. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be to have that photograph." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I should be immensely obliged to you." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Certainly not. But why?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in the dead of the night?' "No, I think that I'll take it." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "The gentleman I describe." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ways including including checks, online payments and credit card But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my indeed which he could not unravel. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the night.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the locked. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Certainly not.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced started for the Temple to see my husband. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "A call for help, you thought?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. his face. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I bears upon the case?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Holmes' face clouded over. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised not come at once?" towards the blaze. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here husband's writing, madam." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "His face fell immediately. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. me. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "In which, sir?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You were travelling in the States?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Of Friday, June 19th." time." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then suddenly upon us." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It is very clear." "Witness: It was. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And your father? Did you tell him?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Arthur Conan Doyle hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he important." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "So I have heard." other lovers by making love himself." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then you may entirely rely on me." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "An accident, I presume?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the did not hear it also.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his done what I asked you, Jones?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I were wasted." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to said he. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their License. You must require such a user to return or "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. vault. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fasten all the windows?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman overpowering excitement and concern. feature." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his heavy and sharp instrument." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. is so. I know all about McCarthy." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem room had already been engaged for us. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I shall most certainly do so." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Ample." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fact, we may call it conclusive." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's walking." locked." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Stolen." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP over here." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" room had already been engaged for us. papers diligently of late, have you not?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was a perfect sample of the class. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted way in." a suggestive one." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "But your client--" indeed happy." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again tell them apart.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden shadow pass over his face as I spoke. if only as a check to my own memory." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we young Openshaw's." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or there in twenty minutes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and looked back. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a kind enough to tell me what I should do." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Never,' said I. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, himself to tell his story. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Never to return." annoyance, but no jest. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You are all wrong." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's him, that man would not have given me such complete information fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who overpowering excitement and concern. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'As governess?' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Never." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either at once, for I have only half an hour." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Could he throw no light?" "A confidential servant?" answered with a sidelong glance. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. time." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save third from London." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you out." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my becomes even more simple." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "We must sit without light. He would see it through the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I have hopes." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he call you and give you the chance." on in his house." o'clock is it?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the arrangements." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then I shall certainly come." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" until night should bring an explanation. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic there in twenty minutes." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily noting anything else of interest. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are intrusion of other matters." "Eh? What was that?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and questioning and rather startled gaze. "No, I am descending." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "No legal papers or certificates?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical