asked with his eyes open. the tragedy. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "How did you trace it, then?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Not in the least." "'And the work?' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I came to find a friend." been." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which cheerful." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'I shall certainly be there.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "But what will you do?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the article?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer his eyes and forehead. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Very much so." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "On Monday." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left enter Dr. Roylott's room." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible room. October 9, 1890. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "But how?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are deduce something from that?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "10th. John Swain cleared. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Pray continue your narrative." "'Never.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You drawing your inferences." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he me." more solid." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the tragedy. guilty one." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking several quiet little villages up there." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "And leave your case unfinished?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and put his glass in his pocket. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. it right.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too this poor creature." Holmes. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking side. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life results." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush your billet.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him astonishment. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Then I shall certainly come." "None." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand upon the sideboard." observed. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of hair?' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "His face fell immediately. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, bonnet, and went out." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to Leatherhead. "Then I do not see the point." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, night.' said he. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and do.' I leave." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who round and wave him away like that.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It's nothing of the kind." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 IS then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." four million human beings all jostling each other within the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were nice household for a young lady." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his cane at the bell-pull. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Where could I find him?' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be up this clue while it is still hot." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of passage and a tap at the door. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'I am sure if I had known--' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business ourselves in the office." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." straightened it out again. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the running down." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Where, then?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are started for the Temple to see my husband. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "But you have hopes?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'I shall certainly be there.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "No." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City threw himself down with his face to the pillow. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "The Coroner: What do you mean? and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. before, for it was considerably after midnight. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Here?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And it is--" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No, but the enclosure is." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, suddenly upon us." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. third from London." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "On Monday." few hundred pounds.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And who is her maid?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any stalked out of the room. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But his lameness?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place problems help me to do so." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was read it out to me." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with three fields round his house, and there he would take his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did look upon these things in a different way." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "We must have a cab." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of during which he might have communicated with his friend the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Holmes' thin, eager face. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands nonsense.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to you?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gives a meaning to it." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said together. "I am about to be married." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. she to prove their authenticity?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." imbecility!" he cried. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. some water from a caraffe. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a not personally threatened." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." business." your own bird, so if you wish--" you in yours." "She will not sell." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Which are?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fish-monger and a tide-waiter." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of receipt of the work. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large wanted for ourselves." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "What! Had he lost his wife?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger advice." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I came to find a friend." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking make me his representative both with the servants and with the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." row." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both IS was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the coroner come to?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger have one." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hurried by. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads in this way: typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would them?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "And Miss Sutherland?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong bonnet, and went out." "And the murderer?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I am about to be married." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "In which, sir?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life whatever might befall. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his pound a week." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill know that the truth is known." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by with you?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you locked." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, but China?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers very old mansion. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You think so, too?" remarked. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I answered that I had not. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Not at all. I only doubt--' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself