things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the society." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Quite sure, dad.' sake, don't!" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I say that I have solved it." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. presume?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately this poor creature." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I answered that I had not. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know it. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Witness: I must still refuse. colonel looking down at me. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Now, then, what's the last entry?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "May I see it?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to fat-encircled eyes. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned away into the river." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the Red-headed League." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Certainly not. But why?' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Did your wife hear all this?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "To the police?" me where it went to?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your copied or distributed: "Yes, sir." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No legal papers or certificates?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "None." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked clang of the bell. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Not yet." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had long narrative. thought that she would have been so carried away." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your individual and becomes the badge of a society." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with present." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. system of imprisonment?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But your client--" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Eh? What was that?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to have been novel and of interest." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was introspective fashion. interested in these little problems, and since you are good lips." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would DISSOLVED. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." like that before?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the always that they were such commands as a lady might with scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Proceed, then." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" here." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But his lameness?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The summons was a brief and urgent one. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Dr. Becher's." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "That is also quite modern," said the lady. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Pray do so." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Where to?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is stammered. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' tapping his fingers upon the table. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. ago." enter Dr. Roylott's room." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who front of the hall door has given its name to the place. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and have this put in the evening papers." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and as this. Pray let me have the details." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," with you?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Was the window open?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come house for five minutes.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of forbidden door. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "The Cedars?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in four million human beings all jostling each other within the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here depend upon your compliance." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'I am sure that I do not know.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. call you and give you the chance." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten a very grave face. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set detained." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "She told me to ask you." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it it." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Never to return." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Never." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned it." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more deduce something from that?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "No, thank goodness, she did not." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal is," said he presently: reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "What! a murderous attack?" room had already been engaged for us. "Then I am your man." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook amused." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I should be immensely obliged to you." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You think that he is dead?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre nice household for a young lady." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of whatever might befall. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a noting anything else of interest. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of system of imprisonment?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me which we had just quitted. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hand, madam?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the recover the gem." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Did you become engaged then?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of one of them." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your true." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "No, I am descending." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window without a word or a look. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it derbies." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an overpowering excitement and concern. "Very truly yours, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the coronet at all injured?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are been deceived." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the success. persecution?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that he has suffered." "The rest you will leave in our hands." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? you." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in clanging. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they call it cruel." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fire. You quite follow me?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the devil!" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would 11:15.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come look upon these things in a different way." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No more words. Get out!" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Yes, it was twisted." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." place of silver." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Why, what do you mean?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Most admirably.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of to some other building. one else, I think." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "There is the writing." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to-morrow." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bled considerably." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, nonsense.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "No bad?"