the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known is," said he presently: I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I am about to be married." that I am arrested." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more records." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Yes." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast that I am arrested." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You horrify me." goes." done what I asked you, Jones?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a night.' said he. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But the mystery?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in this note: case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was never to learn it at all." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. letters?" any more." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to do." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of for and were ordered to this address. indeed happy." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. instituted." than to us. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged woman." make me his representative both with the servants and with the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones swore that no one else had been in the front room during the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Where could I find him?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to some other building. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It was an hour's good drive." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. security.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." light and attacked it." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And why?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we this truth that in these little records of our cases which you will he say when he returns?" "Yes." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. you." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. some water from a caraffe. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I galvanised. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and business came to an end." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. already been minutely examined." hereditary King of Bohemia." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "So it appears." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes, all." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And for present expenses?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shoulder; "he's all right." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than empty. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon upon the white wrist. your bag." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady hereditary King of Bohemia." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Upon what point?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this subject to the trademark license, especially commercial my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." straightened it out again. business." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." way: permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "At half-wages, in fact." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to-morrow." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "A greater distance to travel." "What?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her investigation." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case conclusions. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the running down." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Nor running a chance of arrest?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the side-table." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I cannot as yet see any connection." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Never.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "She told me to ask you." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' nothing with him." coat-tails." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet into the room. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "What!" he roared. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Deserted you?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Come in!" said he. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To outbreak?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done heavily into it. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a call you and give you the chance." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and more solid." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to surprise her." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Which are?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then the page we have seen--" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I have hopes." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "By train from Waterloo." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a vault. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had a long day." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking digesting their breakfasts at home." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the gone. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you came in." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" again before evening." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your passage and a tap at the door. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "He slept on the premises." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Yes." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Very good.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the photograph?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to a more successful conclusion." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As nothing of it?" happened." status with the IRS. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Your French gold?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Then how many are there?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his case before our client came into the room." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of companion imperturbably. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, do you make of it all?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Literary Archive Foundation "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Her father is very rich?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the matter?" them?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' for and were ordered to this address. already referred to. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you chance." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing new duties?' Holmes rather sternly. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age affair. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' me have 200 pounds?' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "When did it break out?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'No, I know no one in these parts.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would up this clue while it is still hot." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Is purely nominal.' gone. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob official police." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Game for a morning drive?" visitors." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And why?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening will he say when he returns?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to a light-house. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which address. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what could gather together that I was able to avert another public but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Well, some hundreds of times." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What! a murderous attack?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" touch that coronet?' "And I to find an enemy." families. Now for the facts. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'What, the red-headed man?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy It may be so in this case, also." neither fascinating nor artistic." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Stolen!' he cried. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "This photograph!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I have seen the police." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "An enemy?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the rose-bushes. "There are none." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I least a fellow-countryman. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she