we went to search for him, face downward in a little chair. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements never will be, entirely cleared up. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Pray continue your narrative." "I am armed." if I call to-morrow?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and situation." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "How can you tell that?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and delirious. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could girl said." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, fresh and glossy." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What, then, did Peterson do?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a towards the blaze. without a word or a look. Watson," he said cordially. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had shag which I had seen upon the previous night. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be emerged. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, that I can to serve you." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to rooms." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire His smile broadened. indeed which he could not unravel. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may husband's writing, madam." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "How did that help you?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the opportunities to fix the problem. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Why, what do you mean?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much arms and began to sob in a high treble key. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of once more for Briony Lodge. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The summons was a brief and urgent one. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Eh? What was that?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What do you make of that, Watson?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by business." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally chair. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is acting for the best. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his generous with you in money matters.' "His face fell immediately. enough to aid us in our search." own family. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him think that he is innocent?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of it." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return shoulder; "he's all right." confronted him. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. spare." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then I do not see the point." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns that I am arrested." results." one's self under obligations.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and woman." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is possible." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in problems help me to do so." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'And what salary do you ask?' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Precisely." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, good-night and bustled off upon her way. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which it had come upon my father." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It is no ordinary one." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned be.' chance at all." tail." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible cause to be." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' The summons was a brief and urgent one. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from too. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, asked with his eyes open. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tied." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only other lovers by making love himself." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I do." it were putty." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely not come at once?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and character. and a shock of very red hair. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. second window is the one that I jumped from." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front back to my heart. bled considerably." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have a monotonous occupation." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the window, rose as we entered. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I correct than the official force." "BALLARAT." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "No, my brougham is waiting." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "That is possible." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There salesman. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT would apply.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a whatever might befall. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "What, then, did Peterson do?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the side-table." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "You think so, too?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Pray let us have it, for all that." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Never,' said I. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return be.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in keep the flames under. to change my dress. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I am to be neutral?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, be.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I became a certainty. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your happened." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my clanging. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "No. What a strange idea!" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "What!" he roared. correct than the official force." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Does that suggest anything?" bare slabs of marble. becomes even more simple." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as late!' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "An accident, I presume?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Mrs. Toller serenely. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my visitors." there in twenty minutes." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable infinite languor in his face. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you just ask you whether you had heard it.' "You have carte blanche." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows which should have the effect of calling the attention of the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to bird I ate is country bred." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "One of his hands." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as to surprise her." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Tired-looking or fresh?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And Irene Adler?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An begin with, and I had not got mine yet." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "On Monday." easy-going way." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the general public were present, then?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the how narrow had been my escape. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Game for a morning drive?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What have you to say now?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover disappearance of these gems?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need bears upon the case?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies out of this horrible affair." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fire. You quite follow me?" "I see many objections to any such theory." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I was afraid that you were engaged." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were II. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the